The Portugal national football team, established in 1921 and controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, first rose to prominence at the 1966 World Cup, securing an impressive third place driven by the legendary Eusébio. Since Euro 2000, they have maintained an uninterrupted qualification streak for major tournaments, with stars like Luís Figo and current captain Cristiano Ronaldo – who holds records for most caps and goals – leading them to the Euro 2004 final as hosts and the 2006 World Cup semi-finals.
Their historic breakthrough came in 2016, when they won their first-ever major trophy by defeating hosts France in the UEFA Euro final. Building on this success, Portugal further cemented its elite status by winning the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 against the Netherlands, and later claiming a second Nations League title in 2025 by defeating Spain. Under current coach Roberto Martínez, the team, colloquially known as the Seleção das Quinas, also maintains significant rivalries with Brazil, Spain, and France due to their shared histories and high-stakes encounters.