A Nation in Green and Red

The nation will once again come to a standstill this Tuesday, June 23rd, for Portugal's second World Cup match. The National Team returns to Houston to face Uzbekistan at 6:00 PM, following their encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Portugal will approach this match without arrogance, yet with their ambition and determination fully intact, aiming for a strong World Cup performance.

The initial rounds of this competition have highlighted its balance and difficulty, proving that no game is won before it's played.

This Tuesday, June 23rd, Houston will once again be awash in green and red, just as I witnessed firsthand during the first match, with an impressive wave of support for Portugal in the previous fixture.

However, this affection for the National Team wasn't confined to the stadium. From a packed Portugal House in New York, graced by our former international "Legends," to a nation that vibrated with excitement for the team.

The images reaching us from all corners of Portugal were impressive, with thousands of fans filling the "Pintar Portugal" fanzones. This underscores the success of the initiative, a collaboration between the FPF, District and Regional Associations, and Municipalities.

We are in the midst of the World Cup, which has captured most of the world's attention, but football never stops. In Portugal, the 2025/26 season concludes on the 30th of this month, a season in which the FPF organized 56 competitions. A busy season that ends in a symbolic and special way.

Starting today, the Lopes da Silva Tournament kicks off. In 2026, its 30th edition will be held in the district of Viseu, across the municipalities of Castro Daire, Lamego, Mangualde, Oliveira de Frades, Santa Comba Dão, São Pedro do Sul, Tondela, Viseu, and Vouzela.

This competition, 30 years on, continues to reflect its founder's vision, bringing together the U-14 teams from 22 District and Regional Associations. It stands as the largest national inter-association youth football competition, featuring nearly 500 athletes. Congratulations are due to the Viseu Football Association, which, in its centenary year, has the organization of this event as the icing on the cake. My congratulations also extend to the other ADRs for their participation in the competition.

More than just aggregation and competition between associations, the Lopes da Silva Tournament holds strategic importance. It serves as the antechamber for entry into the U-15 national team, the first of the National Teams, and is an essential proving ground for the National Technical Directorate and Regional Technical Coordinators.

It's the foundation of a successful pyramid and a stage through which many international players pass. Some will undoubtedly be on the field this Tuesday, June 23rd, in Houston.