Portugal Vs Chile: Roberto Martínez Starts World Cup Prep in Lisbon
Portugal vs Chile opens Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup preparation in Lisbon this weekend, and Roberto Martínez will do it without a few key players on Saturday. Portugal is ranked fifth and comes in after winning the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, while Chile arrives 54th after missing the tournament entirely.
Lisbon Opens Portugal’s Run
This is Portugal’s first step toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts less than two weeks away. The team will not fly across the Atlantic until less than a week before its opening game against the DR Congo, so these matches in Lisbon carry the full weight of its final tune-up block.
Chile is a different case. It failed to qualify after finishing bottom of the CONMEBOL table, and its last World Cup appearance came in 2014, when Brazil edged it in the first knockout round. Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, a sharper backdrop than the one Chile brings into this fourth meeting between the sides.
Martínez Faces Early Absences
Roberto Martínez goes into Saturday short-handed. The Portugal coach will be without a few key players, which gives the friendly in Lisbon more of a selection test than a simple exhibition.
Portugal and Chile have not met since 2017, and Chile’s last high point against this opponent came nine years ago, when it beat Portugal on penalties to reach the Confederations Cup final. At that time, Chile was ranked fourth in FIFA’s world ranking; now it sits 54th, a drop that leaves this trip to Lisbon carrying more value for Chile than ranking points would suggest.
Nigeria Follows on Wednesday
Portugal’s schedule does not ease after Chile. Nigeria comes to the Portuguese capital on Wednesday, giving Martínez two home matches to sort his group before the travel to North America begins. For Portugal, the point is simple: start clean, handle the absences, and leave Lisbon with the shape of a side ready for the tournament opener against the DR Congo.
