Roberto Martinez is the head coach tasked with finally guiding Portugal’s golden generation to World Cup glory. A Nations League winner with Portugal and the man who took Belgium to their best-ever World Cup finish, the Spaniard leads a star-studded squad, still featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, into the 2026 World Cup. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Who is Roberto Martinez?
Martinez was a composed midfielder in his playing days, best remembered for a long spell at Wigan Athletic, before moving into management in England. He built a reputation for attractive, possession-based football at Swansea and Wigan, and it was on the south coast and in the north-west that he first made his name as a coach.
From the FA Cup to international football
Martinez’s defining club moment came in 2013, when he led Wigan Athletic to a stunning FA Cup final win over Manchester City, the club’s first major trophy. After a spell at Everton, he moved into international management with Belgium, guiding their golden generation to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup, their best-ever, and to the top of the FIFA world rankings.
Roberto Martinez’s managerial honours
Martinez has won silverware and reached the latter stages of major tournaments throughout his career. His major honours are below.
| Team | Honours |
|---|---|
| Portugal | UEFA Nations League (2025) |
| Belgium | World Cup third place (2018) |
| Wigan Athletic | FA Cup (2013) |
| Swansea City | League One (2007-08) |
That blend of a domestic cup, a World Cup semi-final run and a major international trophy makes him one of the most experienced coaches at the tournament.
Nations League glory with Portugal
Appointed Portugal head coach in January 2023, Martinez delivered his first trophy with the country in 2025, winning the UEFA Nations League by beating Spain on penalties in the final. It was a statement of intent from a squad brimming with talent and desperate to add major honours in the Ronaldo era.
Portugal and the World Cup 2026 mission
Portugal are among the favourites for the World Cup 2026, and Martinez has a wealth of talent at his disposal, from Cristiano Ronaldo, still going at 41, to midfield engine Vitinha, alongside Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. For our wider coverage, see the World Cup 2026 final predictions and the World Cup 2026 hub.
How Martinez set up against DR Congo
Portugal’s opener was a frustrating one. Martinez set the team up in a 4-2-3-1 and Joao Neves gave them an early lead, but they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo at the NRG Stadium, with Yoane Wissa equalising before half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, became the oldest outfield player ever to start a World Cup match.
Roberto Martinez’s World Cup 2026 start
It was a stuttering opening for a side many tip to go deep, held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo despite taking the lead. Martinez will demand far more from his star-studded squad as the tournament unfolds, with the talent at his disposal still good enough to trouble anyone.
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Roberto Martinez is a Spanish football coach and the head coach of Portugal’s men’s national team since January 2023. A former midfielder, he won the FA Cup with Wigan and took Belgium to third place at the 2018 World Cup.
Martinez won the 2025 UEFA Nations League with Portugal, beating Spain on penalties, and the 2013 FA Cup with Wigan Athletic. He also led Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
He was appointed Portugal head coach in January 2023, succeeding Fernando Santos, and led them to the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opener despite taking an early lead through Joao Neves, with Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match.