World Cup qualifying Portugal's priority - Queiroz

New Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said yesterday his first major priority was for the country to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Our absolute priority is the World Cup and we are going to concentrate on that objective," Queiroz, 55, told his first news conference since his appointment last week.

His first spell as Portugal coach from 1991 to 1993 ended with failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals.

The former Manchester United assistant coach, who took the post left vacant by Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari, has signed a contract with the Portuguese Football Federation until 2012.

Queiroz plans to speak to predecessor Scolari to gather all useful information. His first game in charge will be a friendly against Faroe Islands next month ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign against Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta.