Jorge Jesus to Lead Portugal National Team After World Cup Exit
The dust had barely settled on Portugal’s World Cup elimination when the next chapter began to take shape. Roberto Martínez is out. Jorge Jesus is on his way in.
According to Portuguese newspaper “A Bola”, Jesus will become the new coach of the Portugal national team, stepping into the role just days after the round-of-16 defeat to Spain at the 2026 World Cup. The move marks a sharp, decisive turn from the Portuguese Football Federation as it reacts to a campaign that never truly caught fire.
From Saudi Arabia to Seleção
Jesus arrives on the back of his latest spell in Saudi Arabian football, now a free agent and, crucially, a name that commands broad agreement within Portuguese football circles. The 69-year-old, a serial title winner at club level and a coach with a reputation for demanding, high-tempo football, is described as the consensus choice to launch a new cycle for the national team.
“A Bola” reports that a meeting between Jesus and Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), is expected to seal the deal in the coming days, once the federation’s delegation returns from the United States, where Portugal’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt halt.
The message is clear: no pause, no drift, no long search. Portugal wants its reset now.
Martínez bows out after late heartbreak
The end for Martínez came in brutal fashion. Portugal were seconds away from extra time against Spain when Mikel Merino rose deep into stoppage time to head in the only goal of the game. A tight, balanced Iberian duel was decided in an instant, and with it, the Spaniards pushed their neighbours out of the tournament.
In the press conference that followed, Martínez confirmed his departure from the role he had held since 2023.
“It is the end of the cycle. It is important now to have that again, and it is legitimate for the president to choose his national team coach. I am grateful for all the support they gave me,” he said, drawing a line under a tenure that promised more than it ultimately delivered on the biggest stage.
The timing of his exit, announced immediately after the loss, underlined the sense of a project that had reached its natural conclusion.
A campaign that never fully clicked
Portugal arrived at the World Cup with one of the most gifted squads in their history, stacked with experience, technical quality, and depth in almost every position. The tournament, though, told a more uneven story.
They opened the group stage with a draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a result that set a slightly nervous tone. A resounding win over Uzbekistan briefly restored the swagger and hinted at the attacking power within the squad. Then came a goalless draw with Colombia, a cagey affair that left Portugal advancing in second place rather than stamping their authority on the group.
The knockout phase brought a different kind of test. In the second round, Portugal had to dig deep, coming from behind to beat Croatia in a bruising, highly contested encounter. That comeback felt like the spark that might ignite a serious run.
Spain extinguished it.
The round-of-16 clash was tight, tactical, and tense, with both sides wary of over-committing. Portugal held firm, created moments, and looked set to drag the tie into extra time. Merino’s late header changed everything, sending Spain through and leaving Portugal staring at another World Cup of regrets.
A new cycle, a familiar name
Now the responsibility is expected to fall on Jorge Jesus to turn potential into something more tangible. He will inherit a squad rich in talent but short on major-tournament consistency, and a fan base that has grown used to expecting deep runs rather than honourable exits.
The deal still needs the formal handshake between Jesus and Proença. Once that happens, the next phase begins: reshaping a team that has the tools to compete with anyone, but still searches for the ruthless edge that defines true contenders.
Portugal have their coach lined up. The question now is whether this new cycle under Jorge Jesus finally delivers the World Cup run this generation has been waiting for.
