Have Portugal qualified for World Cup 2026? Latest results, past record at FIFA soccer tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Portugal’s history at the FIFA World Cup is surprisingly unimpressive, given their pedigree in international football and the star names to have worn the famous jersey.
Third place in 1966 is the best they have achieved to date, even during the Cristiano Ronaldo era that has seen them become champions of Europe and win the UEFA Nations League twice.
Ronaldo will hope for one final chance to win the famous trophy next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico, in an expanded 48-team tournament that will see 16 European sides in total take part.
Below, The Sporting News looks at Portugal’s state of play in qualifying and their past record at the world’s most famous soccer event.
MORE:How the World Cup draw works and what to expect in December
As of matchday 10 of the UEFA qualifying section, not yet.
Portugal knew that a win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin would secure top spot in Group F, but Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in a shock 2-0 defeat.
Their fate is still in their hands, though: if they beat Armenia on November 16, they will definitely qualify.
MORE:All you need to know about how UEFA’s World Cup qualifying section works
Portugal have one game left in Group F:
Surprisingly for a team with so many modern-day stars, Portugal have only played at eight World Cups. Their best result was in 1966, when they finished in third place and Eusebio was the tournament’s top scorer with nine. That was one of just two tournaments at which they played from 1930 until 2002.
Since Japan and South Korea, the Selecao have played at every World Cup. The furthest they have progressed in that time was in 2006, when they reached the semifinals but were eliminated by France.
MORE:Revisiting the 1930 World Cup the start of a sporting revolution
Should they qualify, Portugal’s schedule at the 2026 will not be known until the World Cup draw, when the six groups are decided and pathways to the final become clearer.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 5.
The ceremony is due to start at 12 p.m. local time (ET).