History of Portugal national football team in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 14, 2025

The Portugal national football team, controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), has competed internationally since 1921. While their home stadium is the Estádio Nacional, they play matches throughout Portugal. Currently, Roberto Martínez is the head coach, and Cristiano Ronaldo captains the team, holding records for both most caps and most goals scored. The team represents Portugal in men's international football competition.

1921: First international football competition

In 1921, the Portugal national football team participated in its first men's international football competition. The team is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation.

1930: Not Invited to World Cup

In 1930, Portugal was not invited to the World Cup, which featured only a finals stage without a qualification round.

1934: Failed World Cup Qualification

In 1934, Portugal participated in the FIFA World Cup qualification but failed to advance, losing to Spain with an aggregate score of 11–1.

1934: Failed World Cup Qualification and Refusal to Participate

Similar to 1934, Portugal played a two-legged round against Spain for the World Cup Qualification. After an aggregate score of 7-3, Portugal did not qualify on the pitch. They were later invited to replace Turkey, which had withdrawn from participating, but Portugal refused.

1938: Failed World Cup Qualification

In 1938, Portugal played against Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup qualification held in Milan, losing 2–1 and failing to qualify for the finals.

1950: Friendly loss against England

In 1950, Portugal experienced a 10–0 home friendly loss against England, which remains their biggest defeat to date.

1954: Loss to Austria in FIFA World Cup qualification

In 1954, during FIFA World Cup qualification, Portugal lost to Austria with a 9–1 result in the first game and managed a goalless draw in the second, resulting in a 9–1 aggregate defeat.

1960: Participation in the First European Championship

In 1960, UEFA created the European Championship. Portugal won against East Germany in the first round, advancing with a 5–2 win but lost to Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals.

1962: Second place in FIFA World Cup qualification

In 1962, Portugal ended up second in their FIFA World Cup qualification group, behind England.

1964: Lost to Bulgaria in European Championship qualifying rounds

In 1964, Portugal played against Bulgaria in the European Championship qualifying rounds. The round was tied 4-4, and in the replay in Rome, Portugal lost 1-0.

1966: Third place at the World Cup

In 1966, Portugal participated in its first major tournament finals at the World Cup, finishing in third place with a team featuring Eusébio, who was a Ballon d'Or winner.

1966: Qualified for the FIFA World Cup

In 1966, Portugal topped their group for the World Cup qualification, securing their spot in the FIFA World Cup.

1966: World Cup Semi-final since 1966

In 2006, Portugal topped Group D in the World Cup. They defeated the Netherlands and reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1966.

1966: Highest Tally in a World Cup Knockout Game since 1966

In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Portugal beat Switzerland 6-1, which was their highest tally in a World Cup knockout game since the 1966 World Cup.

1984: Semi-finals of the UEFA Euro

In 1984, Portugal reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro but lost to France, the eventual winners of the tournament.

1984: UEFA Euro Qualification and Semi-Finals

In 1984, Portugal won their Euro qualifying group and were placed in Group B. They reached the semi-finals where they lost to hosts France 3-2.

1986: First team to beat West Germany at home

In 1986, Portugal won the last game against West Germany in Stuttgart, becoming the first team to beat West Germany at their home ground in an official match, during the World Cup qualification.

1996: UEFA Euro 1996 Quarter-Finals

In 1996, Portugal finished first in Group D at UEFA Euro but lost 1-0 to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.

1998: Missed World Cup Qualification

After missing out the 1998 World Cup, Portugal qualified for the Euro 2000 and started an uninterrupted streak of qualification for every European Championship and World Cup finals.

1998: Failed to Qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup

In 1998, Portugal failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

2000: Euro 2000 Semi-Finals

At the Euro 2000, Portugal reached the semi-finals. This marked the beginning of a streak of uninterrupted qualifications for every European Championship and World Cup finals.

2000: Euro 2000 Semi-Finals and Suspensions

In 2000, Portugal reached the semi-finals of Euro, losing to France in extra time. Abel Xavier, Nuno Gomes, and Paulo Bento received suspensions for shoving the referee.

2002: Underachieved in the 2002 FIFA World Cup

During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Portugal won the qualifying group but faced issues during preparation and the tournament, leading to an early elimination. Manager António Oliveira was fired after the World Cup.

2002: Last World Cup appearance until 2002

In 1986, the Mexico World Cup marked Portugal's last appearance in the World Cup until 2002.

2004: Euro 2004 Runners-Up

In 2004, Portugal hosted the Euro and finished as runners-up.

2004: UEFA Euro 2004 Final Loss

In 2004, Portugal hosted the UEFA Euro but lost the final against Greece 1-0.

2006: Fourth Place at the World Cup

In 2006, Portugal finished fourth at the World Cup.

2006: World Cup Semi-final since 1966

In 2006, Portugal topped Group D in the World Cup. They defeated the Netherlands and reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1966.

2008: Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals and Managerial Change

In 2008, Portugal finished second in qualification for Euro and reached the quarter-finals, losing to Germany 3-2. Scolari left to manage Chelsea, and Carlos Queiroz was appointed head coach.

2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup and Manager Suspension

In 2010, Portugal reached the FIFA World Cup after beating Bosnia and Herzegovina in a play-off. Carlos Queiroz, the team's coach, was suspended for obstructing a doping test and insulting the testers, leading to his dismissal and replacement by Paulo Bento.

2012: Euro 2012 Semi-Finals

In 2012, Portugal qualified for Euro and beat the Netherlands 2-1 with two goals from Ronaldo. They reached the semi-final, where they were defeated by Spain 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw.

September 2014: Fernando Santos replaces Bento

In September 2014, Fernando Santos replaced Bento as the coach of Portugal national team following a defeat to Albania.

2014: 2014 FIFA World Cup Elimination

In 2014, Portugal qualified for the FIFA World Cup after a play-off against Sweden. Despite a 2-1 win against Ghana, the team were eliminated due to an inferior goal difference.

2016: Euro 2016 Victory

In 2016, Portugal won its first major trophy by defeating France in the Euro final, qualifying for the FIFA Confederations Cup.

2017: 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup

In 2017, Portugal participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup, finishing top of their group but losing to Chile on penalties in the semi-finals. They secured third place by defeating Mexico 2–1 after extra time.

2018: 2018 FIFA World Cup

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Portugal tied with Spain 3–3 in their opening match, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick. They then won against Morocco 1–0 and drew 1–1 with Iran, advancing to the knockout stage where they were defeated by Uruguay 2–1 in the round of 16.

2019: UEFA Nations League Title

In 2019, Portugal hosted and won the first UEFA Nations League finals, defeating the Netherlands to earn their second major title.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020

At UEFA Euro 2020, Portugal was placed in a challenging group with France, Germany, and Hungary. Portugal advanced by defeating Hungary, drawing with France, and losing to Germany, but were later defeated by Belgium 1–0.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Portugal qualified for the FIFA World Cup through the play-offs, defeating Ghana 3–2 and Uruguay 2–0 in the group stage to advance to the knockout stages. They then beat Switzerland 6–1, their highest score in a World Cup knockout game since 1966, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring a hat-trick, but were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Morocco, 1–0.

January 2023: Roberto Martinez Announced as New Head Coach

On January 9, 2023, Roberto Martinez was announced as the new head coach of Portugal's national team, following the dismissal of Fernando Santos on December 15, 2022, after a disappointing World Cup campaign.

September 2024: Portugal's all-time international record

As of September 8, 2024, the all-time international record for the Portugal national team was updated.

2024: Future Euro Title holders

In 2024 Portugal won its second Nations League and third overall title after defeating the incumbent Nations League and Euro 2024 title holders Spain in the 2025 final in Munich.

October 2025: Caps and goals correct as of 14 October 2025

As of October 14, 2025, the caps and goals for the Portugal national team were updated following the match against Hungary.

November 2025: FIFA World Cup qualification matches

In November 2025, the Portugal national team was preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Republic of Ireland and Armenia on the 13th and 16th respectively. On November 10, Pedro Gonçalves and Pedro Neto withdrew from the team due to injury.

2025: Second Nations League Title

In 2025 Portugal won its second Nations League and third overall title after defeating the incumbent Nations League and Euro 2024 title holders Spain in the 2025 final in Munich.