National team is the biggest unifying factor for 84% of the Portuguese

On the eve of Portugal's 2026 World Cup debut, a new poll reveals that a vast majority of the Portuguese population, 84%, see the national team as the country's main unifying force. The study, commissioned by Betclic and conducted by YouGov, shows a broad consensus across different genders, age groups, and regions.

Despite this unity surrounding the team, the poll exposes an interesting paradox: while only 33% of respondents express high confidence in the team's performance, a significant majority of 65% believe Portugal will reach at least the semi-finals. This means two-thirds of the Portuguese public project an elite result for a team in which only one-third has full confidence.

Tiago Simões, Country Manager for Betclic Portugal, commented on the findings, stating they quantify a common sentiment. "These figures tell us something we all feel but rarely measure: Portugal comes to a standstill when the national team plays. And that's about much more than football. It's about identity, belonging, and, above all, it's what makes us Portuguese."

The study also highlights a generational gap in expectations. The youngest demographic (18-24 years old) is considerably more optimistic, with 29% believing Portugal will win the title, more than double the 13% recorded in the over-55 age group. For 73% of young people, reaching the semi-finals is seen more as an expectation than a mere ambition.

When it comes to the team's key players, preferences are split by gender. Cristiano Ronaldo is the top choice for female fans (32%), whereas Vitinha leads among men (29%).

The poll also challenges the stereotype of football as a male-dominated domain. Approximately 39% of the women surveyed stated they will exclusively watch Portugal's matches, a figure ten percentage points higher than men (28%). Furthermore, supporting the national team is the primary motivation for following the World Cup among women (45%), surpassing the 41% recorded among the male audience.

Should the 'quinas' be eliminated, the Portuguese have already picked their favorites to win the tournament. Brazil garners 24% of the support, followed by Spain with 18% and Argentina with 5%.

The survey was conducted with a representative sample of 1,000 Portuguese adults aged 18 and over, with data collected in May and June 2026.