Lithuanian referee Donatas Rumsas has been chosen by UEFA to officiate Portugal's Nations League Group A4 opener against Wales at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday.
European football's governing body announced the appointment on Tuesday. The 37-year-old Rumsas, an international referee since 2016 who regularly officiates across European competitions, will lead an all-Lithuanian team for the 19:45 kickoff in the Portuguese capital.
Compatriots Aleksandr Radius and Dovydas Suziedelis will assist Rumsas as linesmen on the pitch at Sporting CP's home stadium in Lisbon. Robertas Valikonis completes the refereeing crew as the fourth official on the touchline.
Thursday's match will be the second time Rumsas has refereed a game involving the Portuguese national team. He previously officiated Portugal's 5-1 victory over Poland in November 2024 at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto, a win that clinched Portugal's spot in the Nations League quarter-finals at the time.
New Era Under Jorge Jesus
The fixture marks the start of a new era for Portugal under head coach Jorge Jesus, who takes charge of the national team for his first competitive match. The experienced Portuguese manager will become the oldest head coach to ever lead the national side.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's all-time top goalscorer, is preparing for his 15th qualification campaign with the national team. Jesus emphasized that Ronaldo's legendary status in world football will not influence his squad decisions or team selections.
Qualification Window and Upcoming Fixtures
The match against Wales opens the first qualification window of the tournament for Portugal. The national team will next travel to Oslo to face Norway on 27 September, followed by a visit to Copenhagen to play Denmark on 1 October.
Portugal will complete their early qualification fixtures by returning home to Porto on 4 October to host Norway at the Estádio do Dragão, the home ground of FC Porto.
Portugal's Record in the Nations League
Portugal begin the Group A4 campaign as defending champions and the most successful team in the history of the UEFA Nations League, having won two of the four editions since the tournament's inception. Portugal won the inaugural competition in 2019, securing a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final at the Estádio do Dragão thanks to a goal from Gonçalo Guedes.
After France won the title in 2021 and Spain triumphed in 2023, Portugal reclaimed the trophy in 2025. Portugal defeated Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes in the final match.
