Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is tempering expectations ahead of the 2026 World Cup, warning that the tournament's expansion to 48 teams across three countries-the United States, Canada, and Mexico-creates a chaotic and unpredictable environment.
In an interview with Reuters, Martinez said Portugal's dominant qualifying campaign and Nations League title mean little once the tournament begins. "Anything we did gives you three games, nothing more," he explained. "You need resilience, not entitlement."
Martinez, who previously led Belgium in 2018 and 2022, studied the Club World Cup in the US last year as part of FIFA's Technical Study Group. He said the experience highlighted key challenges: time zone shifts, heat, humidity, and sudden storms.
The seasoned coach stressed that success at a World Cup depends on more than just talent. "The margins are minimal," he noted. "With 48 teams, they will be even smaller. Luck, penalties, and resilience often decide the winner."
Martinez recalls Belgium's 2018 semi-final loss as a lesson in the emotional toll. "Losing a semi-final rips your heart from the dream of being in a final," he said. Heading into 2026, he says adaptability-not past glory-is Portugal's best asset.