Jose Mourinho tipped for Portugal job after 2026 World Cup

Jose Mourinho has reportedly been tipped for the managerial position of the Portugal national team after the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) are keen on securing the signature of the current Benfica boss when Roberto Martinez’s contract expires at the end of the global tournament this year.

Mourinho is expected to leave Benfica in the summer after agreeing on a two-year deal with the Liga Portugal giants, overseeing his return to Benfica for a second spell in September.

However, ESPN claims that the FPF will likely try to lure the 63-year-old into the top international post after Martinez departs.

The report adds that if Mourinho departs Benfica, recently sacked Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim would be the obvious replacement. Amorim spent nine years at the club as a player and remains a hugely revered figure in Portugal after his trophy-laden spell at Sporting CP.

Mourinho expressed his desire to move into international management in January last year, when he was still in charge at Fenerbahce in Turkey:

“I want to play a European Championship or a World Cup and unite a country around a team, as I have already done many times with the clubs,” he said in an interview with Corriere Dello Sport. “I want to do it for football and what this sport represents. It will be incredible.”

In August, when addressing links to Brazil, he clarified that he has his eye on the Portugal job first, telling Sporty Net: “My destiny, in terms of internationals, is to play in a World Cup with the Portuguese national team. I never considered coaching the Brazilian national team.

“My first experience has to be with Portugal, and then people have to understand that I’m a professional and that I can coach other teams, but always teams with which I have something that connects me.

“Brazil, obviously, because of the historical relationship between our countries, England, because it’s my home, Italy, I worked there for several years, but my first experience with the national team has to be mine.”

Benfica’s revival under Mourinho has been inconsistent. The 63-year-old’s side stares disappointingly at early exits from both domestic cups, a seven-point gap to Liga Portugal leaders FC Porto, and a heated training-ground clash with angry supporters.

However, Mourinho orchestrated a remarkable Champions League turnaround, guiding Benfica to the knockout stage playoffs after a stunning 4-2 victory over his former club Real Madrid in the final league-phase match, sealed by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s dramatic stoppage-time goal in the eighth minute of added time.