# Roberto Martinez to Leave Portugal After World Cup 2026 Regardless of Result

URL: https://technosports.co.in/roberto-martinez-leave-portugal-world-cup-2026/  
Published: 2026-07-01  
Updated: 2026-07-01  
Author: Ankush Mallick

Roberto Martinez’s time in charge of the Portuguese national team is coming to a definitive end, and it has nothing to do with results on the pitch. Roberto Martinez will leave Portugal after this [World Cup](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026) regardless of how the team performs, having already decided not to renew his contract, which expires after the tournament. The Spaniard’s exit has already been all but confirmed by multiple outlets, making this summer’s tournament in North America his final assignment as Seleção das Quinas head coach — win, lose, or lift the trophy.

## A Departure Already Decided

According to talkSPORT, Martinez will not continue as Portugal manager after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having decided against renewing his contract regardless of the outcome of the tournament, which expires at the end of July this year. talkSPORT’s Alex Crook was direct about the nature of the decision: “***Roberto Martinez set to leave Portugal regardless of how they perform here at the World Cup. Decision not to renew his contract is his***.”

![World Cup 2026](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Roberto-Martinez-834x1024.jpg)
*ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 31: Manager Roberto Martinez of Portugal looks on prior to the international friendly match between United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)*

### Roberto Martinez’s Portugal Tenure at a Glance

| **Category** | **Details** |
| --- | --- |
| Appointed | January 9, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Fernando Santos |
| Contract Expiry | End of July 2026 |
| Games Managed | 40 (28 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses) |
| Major Honour | 2025 UEFA Nations League title |
| Euro 2024 Result | Quarter-finals |
| Decision | His own, not to renew |

## Martinez Confirms It Himself

When pressed on the reports, Martinez didn’t deny them — he simply framed it as old news within the Portuguese camp. “***It’s not news. We’ve talked about this many times in Portugal***“, Martinez said about the reports of his departure after the World Cup. “***Maybe it’s new elsewhere, but in Portugal we’ve discussed it a lot already. The focus remains continuing the work we’ve done over the last three and a half years***.”

He went further, effectively confirming the cycle will end regardless of the tournament outcome: “***When I arrived in Portugal, the objective was to try to win everything possible every day, but above all to prepare for the World Cup. Now we are here, 40 matches later, after winning the Nations League, and the focus remains exactly the same: The World Cup is what matters. Naturally, people may see it as news, but for me it isn’t really news. It’s simply a fact, not a news story***.”

The Portuguese federation echoed that sentiment in an official statement, saying: “***The FPF and Roberto Martinez are focused exclusively on the World Cup. The federation and the coach are aligned on this matter, as they have publicly stated***.”

## A Coach Leaving on Top Form

Martinez’s exit isn’t being driven by poor results — quite the opposite. Under him, Portugal have managed a 70% win ratio in the past 40 games, which is the highest of any Portugal manager. Martinez also became the fastest coach in the national team’s history to guide Portugal to 100 goals, with the side losing just five games, drawing seven, and winning 28 before the World Cup.

On 9 June 2025, Roberto Martinez guided Portugal to their second UEFA Nations League title after defeating the reigning European champions Spain 5–3 on penalties, a triumph he later described in detail: “***We won the Nations League — the most demanding edition yet. We played ten matches, advanced through the knockout rounds, defeated Germany in Germany, and then won the final against Spain***.”

His qualifying campaign for the World Cup was similarly dominant, and at Euro 2024, Portugal qualified for the round of 16 as group winners before beating Slovenia on penalties in the last 16, only to be eliminated by France in the quarter-finals after a João Félix miss saw France win the shootout 5–3.

### Roberto Martinez’s International Managerial Record

| **National Team** | **Tenure** | **Notable Achievement** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Belgium | 2016–2022 | World Cup third place (2018) |
| Portugal | 2023–2026 | UEFA Nations League title (2025), Euro 2024 quarter-finals |

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Roberto-Martinez-1024x683.webp)

## The End of the Ronaldo Era Too

Adding weight to this transitional moment is the parallel expectation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, will captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup, marking his sixth appearance at the tournament, and the 41-year-old is expected to step aside after the World Cup, leaving Martinez’s potential successor to deal with all the negatives and positives that might come with that.

This monumental exit leaves fans wondering if Ronaldo will also end his international career, as he chases the one elusive trophy missing from his cabinet.

## Who Comes Next for Portugal?

The succession picture has shifted rapidly. Initial reports suggested the Portuguese FA had struck an agreement with Jose Mourinho before he was offered the chance to return to Real Madrid, effectively taking him out of contention. With Mourinho off the table, attention has turned firmly to another veteran Portuguese coach.

According to the TalkSport portal, as cited by Correio da Manhã, Correio da Manhã reports that Jorge Jesus may be the leading candidate to fill the position after rejecting a contract renewal with Al-Nassr. That view is echoed elsewhere: ESPN Brasil and CNN Portugal suggest that Jorge Jesus is one of the strongest candidates to replace Martinez as Portugal coach, having built an impressive reputation throughout his career, winning trophies with previous clubs such as Benfica, Flamengo, and Al-Hilal.

### Potential Portugal Successors

| **Candidate** | **Status** |
| --- | --- |
| José Mourinho | Reportedly agreed in principle earlier, now linked with Real Madrid instead |
| Jorge Jesus | Leading candidate after rejecting Al-Nassr renewal |

## What’s Next for Martinez Himself?

Martínez is available to coach Premier League clubs or other European clubs, and does not rule out coaching another national football team. One particularly intriguing thread suggests a reunion with Ronaldo at club level: the biggest development is the possibility of Martinez moving directly from international soccer to club management in Saudi Arabia, with RMC Sport’s Fabrice Hawkins claiming that Al-Nassr have opened discussions with Martinez to become their next head coach, potentially reuniting him with Cristiano Ronaldo at club level, as the Riyadh-based club searches for a high-profile manager after Jorge Jesus’ successful spell in charge.

Martinez has also been characteristically candid about his priorities remaining solely on the tournament for now, with talkSPORT’s Alex Crook noting: “***I am told it is his decision not to renew his contract with Martinez looking to return to club management either in the Premier League or a top European side, or potentially, take over one of the other big European nations. We’ve not heard anything publicly about it, but no doubt, he will be asked about it the next time he faces the media. But the decision has been made in conjunction with the Portuguese FA, so they can start looking for a potential successor.***“

### Portugal’s World Cup Group K Fixtures

| **Opponent** | **Venue** |
| --- | --- |
| DR Congo | Houston (NRG Stadium) |
| Uzbekistan | Houston |
| Colombia | Hard Rock Stadium |

## Chasing History Before the Curtain Falls

Portugal reached the last eight in Qatar four years ago but haven’t made it as far as the semi-finals since 2006. With Martinez determined to end his tenure on the highest possible note, and Ronaldo pursuing the one trophy that has eluded him throughout an era-defining career, this World Cup carries the weight of a farewell tour for both men simultaneously — regardless of how deep the run goes.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Roberto-Martinez-Will-leave-Portugal-1024x682.jpg)

Read More: [FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Mexico vs Ecuador Match Report – Quiñones Stars as Historic Mexico Defense Shuts Out Ecuador 2-0 to Reach Last 16](https://technosports.co.in/fifa-world-cup-2026-round-32-mexico-vs-ecuador/)

## FAQs

### Why is Roberto Martinez leaving Portugal after the World Cup?

It is Martinez’s own decision not to renew his contract, which expires at the end of July 2026. He will leave regardless of how Portugal perform at the tournament.

### Has Roberto Martinez’s successor been decided?

Not officially. José Mourinho was reportedly an early target but is now linked with Real Madrid instead. Jorge Jesus, after rejecting a renewal with Al-Nassr, is currently being reported as the leading candidate.

### Is this also Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup?

Ronaldo, 41, is captaining Portugal in his sixth World Cup appearance and is widely expected to step away from international football after the tournament.

### What has Roberto Martinez achieved with Portugal so far?

Since January 2023, Martinez has led Portugal to the 2025 UEFA Nations League title (beating Spain on penalties), the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, and a 70% win ratio across 40 matches.

### Where might Roberto Martinez go next?

Reports link him with a Premier League return, other top European clubs, another international job, or a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, where he could potentially reunite with Ronaldo at club level.