Cabo Verde, a small island nation in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of just over 500,000, has recorded their name in football history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time. The Blue Sharks, as the national team is affectionately known, clinched their spot with a hard-fought 3-0 win against Eswatini on October 13, 2025, maintaining an unassailable lead in CAF Group D.
What makes the Blue Sharks so captivating? Their underdog story resonates globally, defying giants like Cameroon in a 1-0 upset on September 9, 2025, and showcasing resilience in a high-stakes campaign.
Brief History of the National Team
The Cabo Verde national football team, governed by the Cabo Verdean Football Federation, was established in 1982 following the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975. Their first international match came earlier, on May 29, 1978, a 1-0 loss to Guinea in a regional tournament. Affiliation with FIFA in 1986 and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1982 marked the start of their competitive era, though early years were marked by limited matches, averaging just two per year from 1986 to 1990, when they ranked 182nd globally.
Cabo Verde entered World Cup qualifiers in 2002, exiting early after draws and defeats to Algeria. Their breakthrough came in continental play: qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 2013, a “golden generation” moment fueled by diaspora recruitment strategies that tapped Cape Verdean communities in Europe and beyond. They reached the quarter-finals that year, stunning hosts South Africa in a penalty shootout before falling to Ghana. This era, under coaches like Rui Águas, highlighted disciplined defense and counter-attacks, with players like Fernando Varela emerging as leaders.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Africa Cup of Nations | Quarter-finals (lost to Ghana on penalties after a 0-0 draw) |
| 2015 | Africa Cup of Nations | Group stage (2 wins, 1 loss; 2nd in Group G) |
| 2021 | Africa Cup of Nations | Group stage (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss; 3rd in Group B) |
| 2023 | Africa Cup of Nations | Quarter-finals (lost to South Africa on penalties after a 0-0 draw) |
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | Qualified |
Subsequent AFCON appearances in 2015, 2021, and 2023 solidified their status as spoilers beating Ghana 2-1 in 2023 group play and advancing to quarters again, only to lose on penalties to South Africa. World Cup efforts have been tantalizing: in 2014 qualifiers, they reached the playoffs but were docked points for fielding a suspended player, missing a shot at the finals. Recent challenges included inconsistent results post-2015, but a revival began around 2020, with FIFA rankings climbing from 150+ to 65th by 2025. Under Bubista since 2021, the team has emphasized youth integration and tactical solidity, transforming sporadic success into sustained progress. No major titles yet, but their journey from minnows to World Cup qualifiers embodies resilience and global ambition.
Road to the Current World Cup
Cabo Verde’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a masterclass in grit and opportunism, navigating CAF Group D alongside powerhouses Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Eswatini, and Mauritius. Drawn in November 2023, the group promised tough battles, but under coach Pedro “Bubista” Brito, the Blue Sharks started strongly, leveraging a compact 4-3-3 formation for quick transitions and set-piece threats. Their campaign began with a 4-0 home thrashing of Eswatini in November 2023, followed by a 2-0 win over Mauritius, setting a tone of defensive resilience, conceding just once in the first four matches.
A 1-4 loss to Cameroon in June 2024 tested resolve, but Bubista’s adjustments shone: emphasizing midfield pressing led by Roberto Lopes and wing exploitation by Ryan Mendes. Pivotal wins included a 2-1 upset over Angola in March 2025 (Dailon Livramento’s brace) and a 1-0 home victory against Libya in June 2025 (Jovane Cabral’s header). The defining moment came on September 9, 2025, at Estádio Nacional: Livramento’s 24th-minute strike beat André Onana, securing a 1-0 win over Cameroon and propelling Cabo Verde four points clear. Fans stormed the pitch in euphoric chaos, a scene repeated virtually worldwide.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Verde | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 23 |
| 2 | Cameroon | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| 3 | Libya | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 16 |
| 4 | Angola | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| 5 | Mauritius | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Eswatini | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
October’s finale against Libya in Tripoli was chaotic, a 3-3 thriller where Cabo Verde twice came from behind, with goals from Willy Semedo, Nuno da Costa, and a late Roberto Lopes equalizer. With 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss, Cabo Verde topped the group unbeaten at home, embodying a nation’s improbable rise.
Squad Overview
Cabo Verde’s 2025 World Cup squad exemplifies a harmonious blend of battle-tested Europeans and hungry domestic prospects, with a total market value of approximately €35 million (per Transfermarkt). Bubista favours a core of 23-25 players, prioritising versatility and unity—many born abroad to Cape Verdean parents, reflecting the diaspora-driven talent pipeline. Goalkeeper Fábio Moreira (Arouca, Portugal) anchors the backline with 40+ caps, his shot-stopping vital in qualifiers (clean sheets in 5 of 10 games). Defensively, captain Roberto Lopes (Os Belenenses, Portugal; 60 caps) provides steel, partnering Logan Costa (Reims, France) for aerial dominance.
Midfield maestro Ryan Mendes (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia; 70+ caps, 15 goals) is the heartbeat; his vision and set-piece delivery (3 assists in qualifiers) earned him captaincy. Jamiro Monteiro (San Jose Earthquakes, USA) adds dynamism, while emerging star Dailon Livramento (Hellas Verona, Italy; 4 goals in qualifiers) embodies the next wave, his pace terrorizing full-backs. Up top, Jovane Cabral (Sporting CP, Portugal) and Nuno da Costa (Basel, Switzerland) offer firepower Cabral’s 2025 brace vs. Angola highlighted his finishing (5 international goals). Veterans like Stopira (Grenada, Greece; 50 caps) bring leadership, while domestic talents such as Kelvin Pires (Académica do Porto Novo) and debutants like Helio Varela inject fresh energy from local academies.
Fans’ Reaction and Expectations
This qualification is the dream of generations. We’ve fought with heart, and now the world will see Cabo Verde’s spirit. We aim to advance from the group and inspire every small nation.
The Blue Sharks’ triumph ignited pandemonium across the islands and diaspora: streets in Praia overflowed with dancing crowds, fireworks lit the night sky, and social media exploded with Tubarões Azuis trending globally. X (formerly Twitter) buzzed with posts like “Cabo Verde robbed? But still kings after the Libya controversy, amassing millions of views. The media hailed it as “Africa’s feel good story, with ESPN calling it destined for history. Celebrations spilt into Europe, where Cape Verdean communities in Lisbon and Rotterdam hosted watch parties.
Expectations soar modestly yet ambitiously: a group-stage exit is baseline, but fans dream of a knockout upset, perhaps echoing Morocco 2022. With the expanded 48-team format, progression feels attainable, drawing powerhouses like hosts USA or Mexico could galvanize them. For a nation smaller than many cities, this is transcendence.
Conclusion
Cabo Verde’s Blue Sharks enter 2026 in great form, unbeaten in nine of ten qualifiers, blending tactical nous with unyielding spirit. This debut marks a seismic shift, validating years of grassroots investment and Bubista’s vision. With stars like Mendes and Livramento peaking, they could snag a shock win or two, advancing to knockouts and etching folklore. For fans and media, the Sharks embody football’s magic: proof that passion trumps population.
