Portugal Beach
Results
Portugal Beach v
Stats
| Total | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 19 | 10 | 9 |
| Wins | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Losses | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Goals for | 103 | 53 | 50 |
| Goals against | 64 | 34 | 30 |
| Clean sheets | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Failed to score | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Wikipedia - Portugal national beach soccer team
The Portugal national beach soccer team represents Portugal in international beach soccer competitions, and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the governing body for Portuguese football. The team has participated in 20 of the 23 editions of the Beach Soccer World Cup (organised by FIFA since 2005), and its best results are three victories in 2001 (Costa do Sauípe, Brazil), 2015 (Espinho, Portugal), and 2019 (Luque, Paraguay). Alongside Brazil, Portugal is the only team to have won the world title before and after FIFA assumed the government of beach soccer worldwide. In European competitions, Portugal is record holder of titles.
History
Portugal emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s under Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), winning the 2001 World Championship and multiple podiums pre-FIFA era. Post-2005 FIFA integration, the team secured two World Cup titles (2015 on home soil and 2019), numerous European titles, and consistent top rankings. In 2025, they achieved bronze at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles, defeating Senegal in the third-place match via penalty from André Lourenço after comebacks.
Beach Soccer World Championships (pre-FIFA era)
Beach soccer's early global tournaments were organized by BSWW from 1995 to 2004, primarily in Brazil. Portugal quickly rose to prominence, participating consistently and achieving strong results. They finished runners-up in 1999 (losing 5–2 to Brazil) and 2002 (6–5 to Brazil), and claimed third place in 2003 and 2004. The pinnacle came in 2001 at Costa do Sauípe, Brazil, where Portugal won their first world title, defeating France 9–3 in the final. This era established Portugal as one of the sport's elite nations alongside Brazil.
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup (2005–present)
FIFA assumed governance of beach soccer in 2005, rebranding the tournament as the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Portugal qualified for nearly every edition (20 of 23 overall as of 2025) and became the only nation besides Brazil to win titles both pre- and post-FIFA.
Key highlights include:
- 2005 (Rio de Janeiro): Runners-up, losing on penalties to France in the final after a 3–3 draw.
- 2006: Fourth place.
- 2008, 2009, and 2011: Third place in each.
- 2015 (Espinho, Portugal – hosted): Champions, defeating Tahiti 5–3 in the final on home soil.
- 2019 (Luque, Paraguay): Champions again, beating Italy 6–4 in the final.
- 2025 (Seychelles): Third place (bronze), with a 3–2 win over Senegal in the third-place match; André Lourenço scored the decisive penalty after Portugal recovered from deficits.
UEFA qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Since 2008, UEFA has held dedicated qualifiers for the World Cup. Portugal has qualified the most times among European teams (7 occasions), though Spain holds more qualifier titles (4). Notable successes include winning the 2024 qualifier in Cádiz (qualifying for 2025) and runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2010.
Madjer
João Victor Saraiva, known as Madjer (born 22 January 1977 in Luanda, Angola). Nicknamed after Algerian footballer Rabah Madjer due to his flair and style (starting from age 10 at Estoril Praia), he debuted for Portugal in 1998 and retired in 2019 with Ronaldinho in attendance with him, after a 21-year international career.
- First player to score 1,000 international beach soccer goals (September 2016, in a qualifier vs England).
- Guinness World Record for most goals in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history (88 goals across 13 editions, 2005–2019), including a single-tournament record of 21 in 2006.
- Awards: 2 Golden Balls (best player: 2005, 2006), 3 Golden Shoes (top scorer: 2005, 2006, 2008), plus multiple silvers/bronzes.
- Including the 2001 pre-FIFA title, 2015 and 2019 FIFA titles (he played in 2019 at age 42, scoring once).
The Portugal Beach Soccer Team embodies the spirit and passion of Portuguese football, bringing the beautiful game to the sun-kissed shores. Known for their skillful play and dynamic style, this team showcases the rich footballing heritage of Portugal while adapting it to the unique challenges of beach soccer.
With a roster filled with talented athletes, the team combines technical prowess with agility and creativity, making them a formidable opponent on the sand. Their distinctive red and green uniforms reflect the national colors, symbolizing pride and unity as they compete on the international stage.
Portugal Beach is not just about winning; it’s about the joy of the game, the camaraderie among players, and the electrifying atmosphere they create for fans. Whether it’s a thrilling goal, a spectacular save, or a breathtaking play, the team captivates audiences with their flair and determination.
As they strive for excellence in tournaments around the globe, the Portugal Beach Soccer Team continues to inspire a new generation of players and fans, promoting the sport and the vibrant culture of Portugal. With each match, they aim to leave a lasting legacy on the sand, proving that the heart of Portuguese football beats just as fiercely by the ocean as it does on the pitch.