Portugal’s Round of 16 defeat to Spain on July 8 ended the team’s 2026 World Cup run, correcting earlier false elimination claims and triggering attention on Martinez’s exit and the $POR fan token.
Portugal was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup by a 1-0 Round of 16 loss to Spain in Arlington, Texas, and the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed on July 8 that national team coach Roberto Martinez had departed. The result resolved earlier misinformation that had wrongly claimed Portugal was already out before the Spain match; official records had shown Portugal beat Croatia to reach the knockout meeting with Spain. Martinez, whose tenure began in January 2023 and included the 2025 UEFA Nations League title, reportedly said it was time for a "new voice," and his contract expired at the end of the tournament. The coaching change and tournament result also drew interest in sports-linked crypto markets tied to Portugal’s $POR fan token on Chiliz-backed platform Socios, where trading reportedly picked up around the match.