What if a country with a population that is 60 times smaller than Texas made the World Cup?
That’s precisely what Cape Verde achieved with its inaugural tournament participation, comprising a squad largely made of players based in Portugal, France, and the Middle East, alongside seasoned local league players.
How They Qualified:
Cape Verde topped Group D in the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, finishing four points ahead of Cameroon. Over ten matches, they secured seven wins and two draws, with a goal difference of +8.
Upcoming Matches in Group Stage:
- June 15: Cape Verde vs. Spain — Atlanta Stadium (12 p.m. ET)
- June 21: Cape Verde vs. Uruguay — Miami Stadium, Florida (6 p.m. ET)
- June 26: Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium (8 p.m. ET)
Group H:
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay | 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw
Previous World Cup Appearances:
- This will be the team’s first World Cup appearance.
Key Players for Cape Verde in the World Cup:
- Ryan Mendes: The all-time leading goalscorer and appearances leader for Cape Verde, Mendes has a rich career playing across Europe and the Middle East, contributing in various AFCON tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.
Who is Cape Verde’s Head Coach?
- Bubista has been the head coach since 2020, bringing a wealth of experience from his playing days in Cape Verde and Angola, focusing on a core group of players based in Europe and achieving improved results in international competitions.
Interesting Facts about Cape Verde:
- All-Time Leading Scorer: Ryan Mendes, with 22 goals (active player) — Played for Le Havre, Lille, Nottingham Forest, Sharjah, and more.
- Team Nickname: Tubarões Azuis
- Population: Approximately 528,000
- Capital: Praia
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