Portugal Confirm Roberto Martinez Exit After World Cup Elimination
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday that Roberto Martinez has stepped down as head coach following Portugal’s exit from the FIFA World Cup.
The announcement came after Portugal’s 1‑0 defeat to Spain in the round of 16, ending Martinez’s tenure that began in January 2023.
Martinez had already indicated after the match that he would not continue beyond the tournament.
In an official statement, the FPF said it had terminated its contractual relationship with Martinez and his coaching staff.
Under Martinez, Portugal won the UEFA Nations League in 2025 but fell short at Euro 2024, losing to France on penalties in the quarter‑finals.
At the World Cup, Portugal finished second in their group with draws against Colombia and DR Congo and a 5‑0 win over Uzbekistan, then beat Croatia in the last 32 before losing to Spain.
His continued reliance on veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo drew criticism, with commentators accusing him of pandering to the 41‑year‑old star.
Martinez explained his decision, saying he joined Portugal with the aim of winning the World Cup and, having not achieved that, saw no reason to stay.
The federation added that the process to appoint a new head coach is already underway.
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