Surprisingly for a team with so many modern-day stars, Portugal have only played at eight World Cups. Their best result was in 1966, when they finished in third place and Eusebio was the tournament's top scorer with nine. That was one of just two tournaments at which they played from 1930 until 2002.

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson insists their World Cup qualifier with Portugal is "not going to be a basketball match."