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Portuguese Football Federation celebrates 110th anniversary

Members

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) marked the end of its 110th anniversary celebrations with a special event at the FPF Arena Portugal, a new facility dedicated to the development of futsal in the country.

A second successive UEFA Futsal EURO title in 2022 is one of seven recent trophies for Portuguese football
A second successive UEFA Futsal EURO title in 2022 is one of seven recent trophies for Portuguese football

The FPF brought its 110-year anniversary celebrations to a close on 13 January with a gala attended by leading figures from across European football, including UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin and legends of the Portuguese game.

The event took place at the FPF Arena Portugal, the newest addition to the Cidade do Futebol – the FPF's home complex that was part-funded by the UEFA HatTrick programme which redistributes men's EURO revenue back into the game through national associations.

Alongside speeches from Čeferin and outgoing FPF president Fernando Gomes, there was also a round table with Portugal internationals Jéssica Silva, Pepe and Éder – scorer of the winning goal in the final of UEFA EURO 2016 – musical performances and the launch of a celebratory film.

Portugal men's head coach Roberto Martínez speaking at the 110th anniversary gala
Portugal men's head coach Roberto Martínez speaking at the 110th anniversary gala

"Your vision, dedication and passion has made football the crown jewel of Portuguese sport, touching countless lives through the generations and beyond the boundaries of the game. Congratulations once again, and I wish you another 110 years of success."

Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

Gomes added: "Tonight, we are celebrating not only the past, but also the present and future of football in Portugal.

"We have coaches who inspire, players who make us cheer and clubs that are well structured. That's why I'm sure that football will continue to be worthy of the Portuguese. That is my deepest conviction."

A new home for Portuguese futsal

The FPF Arena Portugal was the perfect setting for the event, with the facility providing a state-of-the-art new base for Portuguese futsal, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Built with the support of UEFA EURO revenue, the arena consists of two buildings connected by a covered overpass and contains a 50x36m playing area, a 240-seat stand and press box, new facilities for Canal 11 – the FPF’s media outlet – and several other multi-purpose spaces.

Portugal men's futsal team training at the FPF Arena Portugal for the first time
Portugal men's futsal team training at the FPF Arena Portugal for the first time

As well as providing world-class facilities for Portugal’s national futsal teams, which include the reigning men’s World Cup and European champions, the arena will also be used as an educational space for the FPF’s Portugal Football School and to host corporate events.

The facility was inaugurated on 27 November 2024 with the ‘One Humanity Match’, a charity game featuring Portuguese footballing legends such as Nani, Pepe and Éder, as well as other prominent names from sports, media and politics.

"This new infrastructure is a real milestone in the development of futsal in Portugal and a testament to our commitment to sport and the training of our athletes," explained FPF president Gomes, speaking at the launch event.

The City of Football grows

The FPF Arena Portugal represents the completion of the third phase of development at the City of Football, the sporting and administrative home of the FPF that opened in 2016 and has played a key role in Portugal’s recent footballing success.

Since opening just before UEFA EURO 2016, a tournament that Portugal would go on to win for the first time in their history, the country has won six other trophies – four of them in futsal – across different age groups and formats.

Highlights: Portugal 4-2 Russia

"I think there's one word: professionalism," said Portugal men’s head coach Roberto Martínez at the anniversary dinner.

"The structure of the FPF and the vision for the future was something that enchanted me from day one. And that's an example at national team level, because it's not easy at all."

Portugal's recent success

Winners:

UEFA EURO 2016

UEFA Under-17 EURO 2016

UEFA Futsal EURO 2018

UEFA Under-19 EURO 2018

FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021

UEFA Futsal EURO 2022

UEFA Under-19 Futsal EURO 2023

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