Portugal and Uruguay face coach scrutiny after poor World Cup 2026 outings

Portugal's midfield under manager Roberto Martínez has struggled to unlock the talent of stars such as Bruno Fernandes, João Neves and Vitinha. In the group stage the team recorded goalless draws against DR Congo and Colombia, ranking near the bottom for created chances and expected goals, and now faces a crucial clash with Croatia.

Uruguay exited the tournament after a 0‑1 defeat to Spain. Coach Marcelo Bielsa, who arrived to revive the side, left the World Cup publicly expressing disappointment and accusing senior players of abandoning him. His candid comments highlighted deep tensions within the squad and marked a bitter end to his short‑lived tenure.