Portugal National Football Team: History and Achievements

Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (Portuguese Football Federation)

The Portuguese Football Federation, or the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (FPF), is the governing body of the Portugal National Football Team and all the footballing activities in Portugal. Founded in 1914 under the name União Portuguesa de Futebol (UFP) and later changing to its current name in 1926, the Portuguese football federation has grown to be one of the most respected footballing institutions in the world. The Portuguese FA is responsible for overseeing all amateur and professional clubs as well as ensuring player development from grassroots to professional level. They are also responsible for organizing all the major competitions in Portugal. Headed by Pedro Proença, Federação Portuguesa de Futebol is responsible for managing the other lower divisions too. The Portuguese FA also manages both the men's and women's national teams, along with the futsal teams.

History of Portugal National Football Team: Early Years

The Portugal national football team played its first official match in 1921 against Spain in Madrid, where they lost by a margin of 3-1. Portugal was still a developing nation at that time, with limited resources at their disposal. They often fell short against the other European giants and failed to qualify for major tournaments. However, their unwavering passion and drive took them to greater heights in the coming years. The 1960s started a revolution in the Portugal football team. Eusebio was one of those Portugal national football team players who took the onus upon himself to change the fortunes of the Selecao. Under the then-Portugal national football team coach Otto Gloria, Portugal qualified for their first-ever World Cup tournament in 1966. They finished third in the tournament, which remains the Selecao's highest-ever finish in a World Cup campaign to date. They didn't qualify for the next 20 years until 1986, but failed to make it past the group phase. Portugal national football team players like Nuno Gomes, Paulo Bento, Ricardo Carvalho, Luis Figo, and Deco were considered the first golden generation of the Portugal football team until the recent squad, which is filled with superstars. After missing out on the next three editions, they finally qualified again in 2002 and haven't looked back since then.

Home Stadium of Portugal National Football Team

The Portugal National Football Team plays its matches across four main venues - Estádio da Luz, Estádio de Honra, Estádio do Dragão, and Municipal Stadium of Leiria – Dr. Magalhães Pessoa. Although the official stadium of the Selecao is Estádio de Honra, they play the majority of their international matches at Benfica's home stadium, Estádio da Luz. Some of the most iconic matches at this stadium remain Portugal's 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in UEFA Euro 2004, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Maniche scored to send the Selecao to their first-ever major final. Another match that has been etched in the memory of the Portuguese people is the qualifying match against Sweden in the same stadium, where Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to secure qualification in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal National Football Team: Achievements & Honours

The Portugal National Football Team always used to come up short of winning a major title in the past, despite putting up impressive performances. Their fortunes turned in the recent past when the Selecao finally won their first-ever major trophy as they defeated France in the final of the 2016 UEFA Euro. They followed it up with a triumph in the 2019 UEFA Nations League, where they defeated the Netherlands in the final. Their most recent trophy remains the 2025 UEFA Nations League, where they defeated Spain on a penalty shootout.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the Portugal National Football Team will look to finally break their curse in World Cup tournaments by putting in a dominant all-around performance. The Selecao would like to win it for their star man, Cristiano Ronaldo, who could also be the last ever World Cup tournament for the veteran.