Cabo Verde at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks Cabo Verde's first-ever appearance at the global tournament. Known as the Blue Sharks, the island nation of approximately 525,000 people is one of the smallest-by-population nations ever to qualify for a World Cup. Prior to 2026, their most prominent international stage was the Africa Cup of Nations, where they debuted in 2013 and reached the quarter-finals in that inaugural AFCON appearance. They also reached the AFCON quarter-finals in 2023, losing to South Africa on penalties after a goalless draw. Qualification for 2026 coincided with Cabo Verde's 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal in 2025.

Qualification

Cabo Verde sealed their historic World Cup qualification on October 13, 2025, with a 3-0 victory over Eswatini. They topped CAF qualifying Group D with 23 points from 10 matches, winning eight games and finishing four points ahead of Cameroon, a nation with eight previous World Cup appearances. Cabo Verde kept a perfect home record throughout, winning all five home matches without conceding a single goal. Top scorer in the campaign was Dailon Livramento with four goals. The achievement is all the more remarkable given that Cabo Verde defeated a Cameroon side that had been a regular World Cup participant.

Preparation

Cabo Verde travelled to New Zealand in March 2026 for a preparation camp, playing two friendlies. They lost 4-2 to Chile before drawing 1-1 with Finland, with Finland winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-2. Coach Bubista (Pedro Brito), who has led the national team since early 2020 and was named CAF Coach of the Year 2025, announced his squad on May 19, 2026. Captain Ryan Mendes and goalkeeper Vozinha are among the key figures named. After a domestic tour of four islands (São Vicente, Fogo, Sal and Santiago) on May 20-23 and a medal of merit ceremony hosted by President José Maria Neves on May 23, the squad gathered in Portugal for a pre-World Cup training camp; latecomers Carlos Dos Santos, Kevin Pina and Gilson Benchimol joined the second training session on May 26. Two warm-up friendlies were scheduled: against Serbia on May 31 at the Estádio do Restelo in Lisbon, then a final friendly against Bermuda on June 6 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut. In the first of these, Cabo Verde produced a convincing 3-0 win over Serbia, with goals from Kevin Pina (11'), Laros Duarte (59') and Gilson Benchimol (63'). For the tournament itself the team will be based at the Waters SportsPlex in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Rowdies' training complex and one of 25 non-host base camps across North America; the squad is expected to arrive in Tampa around June 8. No injury concerns have been reported. Cabo Verde open Group H against Spain on June 15 in Atlanta, before facing Uruguay on June 21 in Miami and Saudi Arabia on June 26 in Houston.

Squad

Recent results

• 2023-11-16 — CPV 0-0 ANG (qualification)
• 2023-11-21 — SWZ 0-2 CPV (qualification)
• 2024-01-10 — TUN 2-0 CPV (friendly)
• 2024-06-08 — CMR 4-1 CPV (qualification)
• 2024-06-11 — CPV 1-0 LBY (qualification)
• 2025-03-20 — CPV 1-0 MRI (qualification)
• 2025-03-25 — ANG 1-2 CPV (qualification)
• 2025-05-29 — MAS 1-1 CPV (friendly)
• 2025-06-03 — MAS 0-3 CPV (friendly)
• 2025-06-08 — GEO 1-1 CPV (friendly)
• 2025-09-04 — MRI 0-2 CPV (qualification)
• 2025-09-09 — CPV 1-0 CMR (qualification)
• 2025-10-08 — LBY 3-3 CPV (qualification)
• 2025-10-13 — CPV 3-0 SWZ (qualification)