Roberto Martinez quits as Portugal coach after FIFA World Cup 2026 exit
Synopsis
Roberto Martinez walked away from the Portugal job minutes after a 1-0 stoppage-time loss to Spain ended their World Cup 2026 campaign — and simultaneously closed the chapter on Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup story. The 41-year-old, who became the first man to score in six World Cup editions, exits the biggest stage with the one trophy that eluded him.
Key Takeaways
Roberto Martinez resigned as Portugal head coach on Tuesday after a 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Spain at the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in injury time at Dallas Stadium .
Martinez, in charge since 2023 , had led Portugal to the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals and UEFA Nations League glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo , 41 , confirmed this was his last World Cup; he scored 11 goals in 27 World Cup games and was the first player to score in six editions .
The Portuguese Football Federation must now appoint a new manager ahead of the next international window.
Roberto Martinez has stepped down as head coach of the Portugal national football team following the side's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Round of 16 stage. A stoppage-time strike from Mikel Merino gave Spain a 1-0 victory at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, ending Portugal's campaign and Martinez's tenure in the same moment.
Martinez Announces Departure at Post-Match Presser
Addressing reporters immediately after the final whistle, Martinez made his exit official. 'I came to Portugal to win the World Cup and I think that, without winning it, there's no point in continuing,' he said. 'The board and the president now have the opportunity to choose the new manager... my contract ends today. There isn't much more to say.'
The Spanish-born coach, who took charge of Portugal in 2023, confirmed there had been no pre-tournament decision on his future — the elimination itself was the trigger. Over his three-and-a-half-year stint, he guided the side to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 and delivered victory in the UEFA Nations League the following year.
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Farewell
The match also marked the curtain on Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup journey. The 41-year-old had declared before kick-off, 'This will be my last World Cup.' Ronaldo registered 11 goals in 27 World Cup games across his career and etched his name into the record books as the first player to score in six separate World Cup editions.
Martinez paid tribute to his captain in generous terms. 'There aren't many Cristiano Ronaldos,' he said. 'His dream was to win the World Cup, and he gave everything for that dream. He has been an example as a footballer, as a captain and as a human being.' Martinez described Ronaldo as 'an exemplary captain' whose commitment never wavered throughout their time together.
Martinez Reflects on the Defeat
The departing coach was candid about Portugal's performance, acknowledging missed opportunities despite a disciplined defensive display. 'We finished with sadness. It's not the result we wanted. The opponent is one of the favourites, but that didn't stop what we wanted to do. We were courageous defensively, aggressive, we defended very well. But what happens in the Round of 16 of a World Cup are important details,' he said.
This is the second successive tournament in which Portugal have exited at the knockout stage without reaching the semi-finals, underlining the challenge facing whoever the federation appoints next.
What Comes Next for Portugal
The Portuguese Football Federation now faces the task of identifying a successor ahead of the next international window. With Ronaldo's international future also uncertain beyond this tournament, the rebuilding exercise is set to be substantial. Martinez's exit leaves a vacancy at one of European football's more prominent national team posts, and several names are expected to be linked in the coming days.
Point of View
Yet the World Cup, the only metric he set for himself, remained out of reach. The deeper question is structural: Portugal's golden generation, anchored by Ronaldo for two decades, is now visibly ageing, and no obvious successor has been groomed at the same level. Whoever takes the job inherits a squad in transition, a federation accustomed to Ronaldo-era expectations, and a fanbase that will demand a rebuild without a blueprint. The federation's next appointment will signal whether Portugal is serious about a post-Ronaldo identity or still searching for one.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Roberto Martinez resign as Portugal coach?
Martinez stepped down immediately after Portugal's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, stating that his sole objective had been to win the tournament and that remaining without achieving it served no purpose. He confirmed his contract ended on the day of the match.
Who scored the winning goal for Spain against Portugal?
Mikel Merino scored in injury time to give Spain a 1-0 victory at Dallas Stadium, eliminating Portugal from the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Round of 16 stage.
Is this Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup?
Yes. Ronaldo confirmed before the match that it would be his last World Cup appearance. The 41-year-old ends his World Cup career with 11 goals across 27 games and holds the record as the first player to score in six separate World Cup editions.
What did Martinez achieve as Portugal coach?
Martinez, who took charge in 2023, guided Portugal to the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 and won the UEFA Nations League the following year. He served as coach for approximately three and a half years before his resignation.
Who will be Portugal's next coach?
No successor has been named. The Portuguese Football Federation now has the task of identifying a new manager, with the appointment expected ahead of the next international window. Several names are likely to be linked in the coming days.
