World football is changing

Following Spain's victory in the 2026 World Cup - which saw the highest number of participating teams in football history and was the longest-running tournament to date - many teams, including those from France, Portugal and Germany, have embarked on a new strategy involving changes in management and fresh planning, with the aim of reaching the summit at the European Championship in Britain in 2028 and subsequently at the World Cup in Andalusia in 2030, organised as a joint venture between Spain - Portugal - Morocco. UEFA's decision to reform the Champions League group stage by introducing a 'League Phase', coupled with the organisation of a Club World Cup every four years, has further intensified the already packed schedules of club teams. This intensity has also taken a mental toll on many top managers. Figures such as Zinedine Zidane, who led Real Madrid to multiple Champions League and La Liga titles, and Jürgen Klopp, who guided Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years whilst at the peak of his career, have either abruptly ended their managerial careers or taken a break. Pep Guardiola, who led Manchester City through the best years in the club's history, also took a break from his managerial career last summer by bidding farewell to the Sky Blues. In the wake of this physical and mental exhaustion, national teams - previously the preferred choice for managers nearing retirement - have now become the top priority for elite managers as well. With the broadcast rights for the World Cup reaching colossal proportions and the shares distributed by FIFA to national teams, coupled with the budgets and sponsorship revenues that football associations have secured following their autonomy, football federations are now able to pay elite managers high salaries. Elite managers wishing to continue their careers with a schedule of 15-20 matches a year, rather than the usual 70-80, are opting for national teams more than at any other time in history. This, in turn, is heightening the excitement surrounding the national team era. Jorge Jesus, having pocketed over 35 million euros during his three years in Saudi Arabia, accepted the Portuguese national team's offer for a sum equivalent to a quarter of the annual salary he earned in the Gulf. Whilst Jesus's salary of between 3 and 4 million euros may not seem particularly impressive compared to Ancelotti's salary of nearly 10 million euros, it is by no means a bad deal for 15-20 matches in a season. Despite his advancing age, the 72-year-old manager could still have continued to earn over 1 million euros a month in Asia. The experienced manager, who will serve as the compass for the Navigators' new journey following Roberto Martínez, will face his first test in the Nations League. Portugal, who won the Nations League in 2025, became the only team to defeat Spain - champions of the 2023 Nations League, the 2024 European Championship and the 2026 World Cup - in a penalty shoot-out in the final and claim the trophy from the 'matadors'.

The aim is to finish top of the group

For Portugal's new head coach, Jorge Jesus, who will enter the Nations League as the reigning champions, the expectation is to top the group against Norway, Denmark and Wales. The aim thereafter will be to reach at least the semi-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his last, has also been called up to the provisional squad for the first four matches of the Nations League. Whilst the experienced manager will help ensure a smoother transition into Portugal's post-Ronaldo era, we will have the chance to witness CR7's final days in the national team jersey as he aims to score a few more international goals to contribute to his quest to reach the 1,000-goal milestone.

Denmark vs Portugal tickets

Denmark, who missed out on a place at the first World Cup featuring 48 teams after losing to the Czech Republic on penalties in the play-off final, see head coach Brian Riemer remain in his post, though it would not be wrong to say his position is under threat. If Portugal manage to stay in League A following their matches against Norway and Wales, and secure a place in the 2028 European Championship finals, this will give Riemer a fresh lease of life. Following the retirement of players such as Schmeichel, Kjaer, Vestergaard and Delaney, the young manager - who is attempting to build a new backbone around players like Hojbjerg, Hojlund and Hulmand - will face one of his most important tests in the capital, Copenhagen. If you wish to experience the atmosphere at Parken Stadium whilst Jesus's side take on one of their toughest group matches, Denmark - Portugal tickets on Seatpin.