Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez says his team is fully prepared for the start of its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with the opening match against DR Congo scheduled for today.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the Spanish coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations and adaptation to local conditions in the United States.
“We’ve had a very productive and positive training camp. The players have adapted well to the time zone, and we’ve worked hard to adjust to the humidity and temperatures in Miami. The conditions have been excellent, and now we’re ready,” Martinez said.
The Portugal boss also spoke about the importance of balancing ambition with realism as the tournament begins.
“Dreams are what drive life, and for us they are the driving force behind this World Cup campaign. But as a coach, my job is to bring clarity. I’m the annoying person who reminds everyone that we only have three group-stage matches ahead of us. We all have dreams, but World Cups are won through rational decisions and a clear path forward.”
Martinez also praised Portugal’s first opponent, highlighting DR Congo’s impressive qualification campaign and tactical flexibility.
“We’re talking about a team that eliminated Cameroon and Nigeria. They are tactically versatile and capable of much more than simply defending deep. They can press aggressively and create problems for opponents. We have a great deal of respect for DR Congo.”
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