Portugal women gear up for U20 World Cup as U18s win Mediterranean Tournament

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·2 September 2026

Portugal women gear up for U20 World Cup as U18s win Mediterranean Tournament

Women’s football in Portugal continues on its steady upward trajectory.

The senior national team has made significant strides in recent years, with debut appearances at the European Championship and the World Cup.

Portuguese female footballers are increasingly making their mark at clubs abroad in more developed leagues. The standard-bearer is Barcelona forward Kika Nazareth, who is recognised as one of the best footballers in the women’s game.

Domestically Portugal’s national championship is set for a huge boost in competitiveness and interest with FC Porto’s entrance into the top league this season. The Dragons created a women’s team under André Villas-Boas in 2024 that started in the third tier, which has raced to two successive promotions.

But perhaps the biggest indication of a rosy future for women’s football in Portugal has been the extremely positive results obtained by the younger age groups in international competitions.

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A perfect example came earlier this week as Portugal’s U18 team won the women’s football tournament of the 20th Mediterranean Games, beating Italy 4-0 in the final.

World Cup debut at Under-20 level

Next on the agenda is the FIFA U20 World Cup. Held every two years since 2002, Portugal qualified for the first time for the tournament this year, which is being held in Poland.

Twenty-four nations are taking part and Portugal, coached by Marisa Gomes, will be confident of making progress from Group E having been drawn alongside North Korea, Costa Rica and Colombia.

Portugal play their first match on Monday 7 September, against North Korea.

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Portugal’s squad for the U20 Women’s World Cup

Top row (left to right): Beatriz Carvalho, Inês Meninas, Carolina Santiago, Nair Pina, Diana Costa, Francisca Castro. Rafaela MendonçaMiddle row (left to right): Carolina Simões, Carolina Tristão, Érica Cancelinha, Marisa Gomes (treinadora nacional), Mafalda Mariano, Sofia Machado, Luana BessaBottom row (left to right): Neide Guedes, Rita Cunha, Iara Lobo, Maísa Correia, Marta Gago, Joana Valente, Rita Melo, Anna Marques