Cape Verde
Manager: Pedro Brito "Bubista"
Overview
Cape Verde are one of the smallest nations ever to compete at a FIFA World Cup, with a population of just over 500,000. The Blue Sharks have risen remarkably through African football, regularly qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and producing players who compete in Portugal and other European leagues due to the islands' historical ties to Portugal. Their squad is built on organization, discipline, and the technical ability inherited from their Portuguese footballing connections. Cape Verde's qualification for the World Cup would be a fairy-tale story and an inspiration for small island nations worldwide.
Squad
26 playersGoalkeepers3
Vozinha
Chaves
Márcio Rosa
Montana
CJ dos Santos
San Diego FC
Defenders9
Steven Moreira
Columbus Crew
Wagner Pina
Trabzonspor
João Paulo Fernandes
FCSB
Sidny Lopes Cabral
Benfica
Logan Costa
Villarreal
Roberto "Pico" Lopes
Shamrock Rovers
Kelvin Pires
SJK Seinäjoki
Stopira
Torreense
Diney Borges
Al-Bataeh
Midfielders6
Jamiro Monteiro
PEC Zwolle
Telmo Arcanjo
Vitória Guimarães
Yannick Semedo
Farense
Laros Duarte
Puskás Akadémia
Deroy Duarte
Ludogorets
Kevin Pina
Krasnodar
Forwards8
Ryan Mendes
Iğdır FK
Willy Semedo
Omonia Nicosia
Garry Rodrigues
Apollon Limassol
Jovane Cabral
Estrela Amadora
Nuno da Costa
İstanbul Başakşehir
Dailon Livramento
Casa Pia
Gilson Benchimol
Akron Tolyatti
Hélio Varela
Maccabi Tel Aviv
World Cup History
Cape Verde have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Their appearance at the 2026 tournament would be the most remarkable achievement in the nation's sporting history. Cape Verde have competed in AFCON quarterfinals and have steadily climbed the FIFA rankings, but a World Cup appearance would represent an entirely new level of accomplishment for the island archipelago.
Group H Opponents
Fun Fact
Cape Verde's population of roughly 560,000 would make them one of the smallest nations ever to appear at a World Cup, smaller than Iceland who famously qualified for the 2018 tournament.
Predict Cape Verde's Path to the Final
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