🇵🇹 PORTUGAL 2026: THE ROAD TO WORLD CUP GLORY

A New Football Manager Story Project

Hello everyone,

After spending the last few months creating my Chelsea Rise Again series, I've decided to take a short break from club football and try something completely different. you can check my chelsea rebuild here : https://sortitoutsi.net/content/76775/i-started-a-chelsea-rebuild-save-in-fm26-using-eafc26-football-life-26-for-visuals#comment_883501
 

I've always loved the idea of football telling stories beyond league titles and transfer windows. Stories about pressure, legacy, expectation, and the dream of representing an entire nation on the biggest stage in world football.
 

So for my next project, I will be stepping into international management.

And the nation I've chosen is...

🇵🇹 Portugal

A country blessed with incredible talent, world-class players, and one of the richest footballing cultures in the world.

Yet despite producing legends and competing at the highest level for decades, Portugal has never lifted the FIFA World Cup.

They have come close.

They have inspired generations.

But football remembers champions.

The Challenge

In this project, I will take charge of Portugal and attempt to guide them through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This won't be a traditional season-by-season save.

Instead, the entire project will be presented as a football short movie, focusing on storytelling, atmosphere, and the emotional journey of an international tournament.

Every decision will matter.

Every match could define a legacy.

One mistake could end the dream.

Why Portugal?

Portugal offers everything needed for a compelling story.

A squad filled with elite talent.

A footballing nation carrying enormous expectations.

And a generation of players eager to write their own chapter in history.

For years, Portuguese football has been associated with one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. But this story is not about the past.

This is about the future.

Can this generation finally achieve what no Portuguese team has ever achieved before?

Can they conquer the world?

What To Expect

This project will be very different from my Chelsea content.

Instead of focusing on transfers, league campaigns, and long-term rebuilding, the emphasis will be on:

• Tournament drama
• Squad selection dilemmas
• Tactical battles
• Knockout football pressure
• Emotional storytelling
• Cinematic presentation
• Matchday atmosphere
• The pursuit of football's greatest prize

My goal is to make this feel less like a standard Football Manager save and more like a football documentary or sports movie.

The Objective

There is only one objective.

🏆 Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nothing less.

No second chances.

No next season.

No five-year rebuild.

Just seven matches to make history.

The Journey Begins

A nation waits.

A dream remains alive.

The world is watching.

🇵🇹 Portugal 2026: The Road to World Cup Glory begins now.

Wish me luck. ⚽🏆🇵🇹

⚽ Chelsea Career Mode — Episode 3 

Chelsea start to show signs of improvement after a difficult opening phase of the season.

The team begins to find more consistency with a young squad still developing chemistry under pressure.
 

📊 Key Results (Episode 3)

• Brentford 1–3 Chelsea (Away) — Strong attacking performance and controlled win
                           Caicedo (Assisted by Pedro Neto)
                           Neto (Assisted by Caicedo)
                           Van Hecke (Assisted by Palmer)
                           Taiwo Awoniyi 
   
• Real Madrid 2–0 Chelsea (UCL) — Tough European night against elite opposition
  F.Valverde 
  Arda Guler
                            
• Man United 0–0 Chelsea (Away) — Tight tactical draw at Old Trafford
   
• Carabao Cup : Chelsea 1p vs 1 Sunderland — Rotation match, Chelsea progress on penalties
   
• Chelsea 3–2 Brighton — Hard-fought home win
  Enzo Fernandes (Assisted By Joao Pedro)
  Liam Delap 
  Nathan Tella
  G.Rutter
  Joao Pedro (Assisted by Palmer)
   
• Chelsea 1–0 Villarreal (UCL) — Important European victory
  Palmer on Penalty
   
• Chelsea 3–2 Liverpool — Comeback win after going 2–0 down
  Alexander Isak
  Florian Wirtz
  Cole Palmer (Assisted by Neto)
  Enzo Fernandez (Assisted by Palmer)
  Delap (Assisted by Palmer)
   

📈 Overall Progress

The team is slowly building momentum:

• More consistent performances in the league
• Strong character shown in big matches
• Still some struggles in Europe, but improvement is clear
• Attack looks more dangerous, especially in big moments
   

🌟 Standout Players

• Cole Palmer — key influence in attacking moments
• Enzo Fernández — consistent midfield presence
• Pedro Neto — strong performances and creativity
• Liam Delap — important impact off the bench
  
   

🔵 Summary

Chelsea are starting to look more stable after a shaky start.
There is still a long way to go, especially in Europe, but results are improving and confidence is growing.
 

🔜 Next Episode

More Premier League action and Champions League battles as the season continues.

Full Episode 3 recap now available — would love to hear your thoughts! 
 

⚽ Chelsea Career Mode — Episode 2 
 

Season Start Summary

Chelsea begin the Premier League season under a new project with several new signings and a young starting XI built for the future.
 

🧩 Starting XI (Main Idea)

Robert Sánchez; Reece James; Chalobah; Van Hecke; Cucurella; Enzo Fernández; Caicedo; Pedro Neto; Garnacho; João Pedro

A young and energetic team focused on attacking football and high intensity.
 

📊 Match Results

Match 1 — Crystal Palace
Chelsea started well but struggled defensively and lost 2–1.
A poor opening result raised early concerns.

Match 2 — West Ham
A more controlled game, but Chelsea conceded again after taking the lead.
Finished 1–1.

Match 3 — Fulham
A chaotic match but Chelsea showed character.
Goals from Caicedo, Van Hecke, and a late winner from Enzo Fernández secured a 3–2 win.

📈 Monthly Summary

• 1 Win
• 1 Draw
• 1 Loss

A mixed start overall.

Attack looks promising, especially Garnacho’s performances.
However, defensive organisation is still a major issue.

🌟 Standout Player

Alejandro Garnacho — consistently the most dangerous attacking threat.

⚠️ Key Issue

Chelsea are struggling to control games after taking the lead, especially defensively.

🔜 Next Episode Teaser

Chelsea now enter the Champions League, with a huge opening fixture against Real Madrid, followed by Manchester United.

Full Episode 2 recap now available — would love to hear your thoughts! 

Chelsea have spent heavily, changed managers, and still haven’t found the stability the club has been searching for.

That was the starting point for this new save.

I’ve started a Chelsea rebuild series using Football Manager 26 as the core of the project. FM handles the decisions — tactics, transfers, squad building and match management. To make it feel more visual and cinematic, I also used EAFC26 and Football Life 26 for the match highlights, build-up play, celebrations, crowd atmosphere and manager moments.

Episode 1 begins with taking over a squad full of talent but still lacking balance and identity.

The first transfer window brought in Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £79 million, while Nahuel Molina arrived on loan with a £40 million buy option.

Pre-season was the first real test.

We found ourselves 2–0 down against Galatasaray, fought back to level through Neto, but eventually lost 3–2 after Osimhen scored the winner.

From there the response was strong — a 4–1 win over Athletic Bilbao, a 3–1 win over Strasbourg, and another 4–1 win over Olympiacos.

The goal with this series is to turn a normal Football Manager save into more of a football documentary-style journey.

If you’d like to check out the visual side of the project, Episode 1 is here: