Porto, November 16, 2025 – The President of the Republic expressed his optimism today regarding Portugal’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. This positive outlook was shared by the Prime Minister, who hopes that the national team will showcase “their full potential on the field” in the crucial match against Armenia.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Luís Montenegro are both present at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto to witness this pivotal encounter, which marks the final step of the qualification process for the World Cup. Before the match commenced, they shared their expectations with RTP, emphasizing their confidence in a victory.
“Today we cannot fail. Here we have the duo, the Prime Minister and the President. … We will not fail; we are going to win. Portugal will shine today,” stated the President, even forecasting a potential 3-1 victory for the Portuguese squad.
Marcelo noted that Portuguese fans tend to appreciate these nail-biting qualification processes, recalling past instances where similar situations occurred, particularly during the Euro championships. “And then, as we are very good, we win and qualify,” he remarked confidently.
The Prime Minister also conveyed his belief in the team’s success, stating that “nothing comes by chance, without hard work, sacrifice, and teamwork.” He emphasized the importance of motivation and a patriotic spirit, encouraging the players to unleash their full capabilities during the match. “The Portuguese people are with our national team, and their quality will be evident on the field, so we are very optimistic,” Montenegro affirmed.
The match between Portugal and Armenia is currently underway at the Estádio do Dragão, officiated by Irfan Peljto from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Should Portugal secure a win, they will automatically claim the top position in Group F, ensuring direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, marking the ninth in the country’s history and the seventh consecutive qualification. However, a draw or even a defeat could still suffice for qualification, depending on the outcome of the match between Hungary and Ireland, which is taking place simultaneously in Budapest.
Fans and officials alike express a hopeful sentiment as they await the match’s outcome, eager to see Portugal advance towards the global stage once again.