Cape Verde travel to North America for the FIFA World Cup this summer to make their debut on football’s biggest stage.
The Blue Sharks reached a first finals after seven previous attempts, the crowning achievement in the nation’s footballing history. With a population of around 525,000, they become the second least-populous country ever to qualify, behind only Iceland in 2018. Their path through CAF Group D defied every expectation.
Cape Verde topped a section containing four-time finalists Cameroon, sealing qualification with a 3-0 win over Eswatini in October 2025. Scenes of jubilation swept the islands of Praia that night.
Cape Verde: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
Pedro Leitão Brito, universally known as Bubista, masterminded the rise after taking charge in 2020. The former Cape Verde international guided them to the AFCON quarter-finals in 2023, a feat matched only once before. His 26-man squad, announced on 19 May, leans heavily on the diaspora.
⚽ 🏆 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, a small country dreaming big ahead of its first World Cup
Before heading to the United States, Cape Verde players train across the archipelago, cheered on by supporters. "This country is small but the dream is big," says the director one football academy pic.twitter.com/50AptCFpZ5
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 2, 2026
Most players were born or developed in France, Portugal, the Netherlands and Ireland. Captain Ryan Mendes leads the line at 36, the nation’s record scorer and most-capped player. Villarreal’s Logan Costa, the lone representative from Europe’s top five leagues, anchors the defence.
Casa Pia forward Dailon Livramento, 24, emerged as the qualifying campaign’s breakout star with four crucial goals. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, real name Josimar Dias, is the squad’s elder statesman at 39 and vice-captain. American-born stopper Carlos Santos of San Diego FC provides cover.
Group H offers a brutal welcome to the elite. Cape Verde open against European champions Spain, before fixtures against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. A warm-up against Bermuda in Connecticut on 6 June completes preparations. Few expect the Blue Sharks to progress, yet the romance of their presence is unmistakable.
Cape Verde 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Monday, June 15th – Spain vs Cape Verde – Atlanta, USA
- Sunday, June 21st – Cape Verde vs Uruguay – Houston, USA
- Saturday, June 27th – Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde – Houston, USA
What time do Cape Verde’s World Cup games kick off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Spain vs Cape Verde, 11pm
- Cape Verde vs Uruguay, 8pm
- Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde, 6pm
Cape Verde 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Vozinha (Chaves), Márcio Rosa (Montana), Carlos Santos (San Diego FC)
Defenders: Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), João Paulo Fernandes (FCSB), Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Kelvin Pires (SJK Seinäjoki), Ianique Tavares (Torreense), Edilson Borges (Al-Bataeh)
Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Telmo Arcanjo (Vitória Guimarães), Yannick Semedo (Farense), Laros Duarte (Puskás Akadémia), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar)
Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Iğdır FK), Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora), Nuno da Costa (Başakşehir), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Gilson Benchimol (Akron Togliatti), Hélio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Read more – New Zealand: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
See Also – Mexico: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
