Portugal have been a regular feature of the FIVB Volleyball World League over the last five years. In 2015, however, they only produced one victory in 12 matches. They had a 0-7 losing run before snapping it with a 3-2 triumph over the Netherlands in Groningen. Since the start of the 2014 World League, however, Portugal have jumped from 38 to 27 in the world rankings. The Portuguese team did not qualify for the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship under young new coach Hugo Silva, who was previously an assistant. Now, the team is looking for a new beginning under Brazilian coach Francisco Santos.
 
Portugal made their international debut at the 1948 European Championship when they came fourth. The Portuguese first qualified for the World League in 1999. The team's best performance to date in the competition was the joint-fifth place they achieved in 2005. In 2007, Portugal hosted the Final Four of the European League and the team came close to claiming a first international trophy before losing 3-2 in a dramatic final against Spain. They broke their duck in 2010 when they took the gold medal in the European League in Spain. They have yet to qualify for an Olympic Games.