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Cape Verde

Cape Verde

CPV·FIFA #68·CAF·Group H

Manager: Pedro Brito "Bubista"

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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 players

Goalkeepers3

€50K

Vozinha

Chaves

39y189cm
€350K

Márcio Rosa

Montana

29y187cm
€1.2M

CJ dos Santos

San Diego FC

25y194cm

Defenders9

€1.5M

Steven Moreira

Columbus Crew

31y180cm
€11M

Wagner Pina

Trabzonspor

23y180cm
€700K

João Paulo Fernandes

FCSB

27y180cm
€5M

Sidny Lopes Cabral

Benfica

23y176cm
€18M

Logan Costa

Villarreal

25y190cm
€250K

Roberto "Pico" Lopes

Shamrock Rovers

33y182cm
€300K

Kelvin Pires

SJK Seinäjoki

25y193cm
€50K

Stopira

Torreense

38y182cm
€1M

Diney Borges

Al-Bataeh

31y185cm

Midfielders6

€750K

Jamiro Monteiro

PEC Zwolle

32y175cm
€3M

Telmo Arcanjo

Vitória Guimarães

24y180cm
€300K

Yannick Semedo

Farense

30y171cm
€1M

Laros Duarte

Puskás Akadémia

29y180cm
€1.8M

Deroy Duarte

Ludogorets

26y177cm
€4.5M

Kevin Pina

Krasnodar

29y181cm

Forwards8

€200K

Ryan Mendes

Iğdır FK

36y178cm
€1M

Willy Semedo

Omonia Nicosia

32y185cm
€325K

Garry Rodrigues

Apollon Limassol

35y173cm
€800K

Jovane Cabral

Estrela Amadora

27y176cm
€400K

Nuno da Costa

İstanbul Başakşehir

35y184cm
€800K

Dailon Livramento

Casa Pia

25y185cm
€900K

Gilson Benchimol

Akron Tolyatti

24y187cm
€1.2M

Hélio Varela

Maccabi Tel Aviv

24y176cm

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

Spain

Spain

FIFA #2 · UEFA

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Uruguay

Uruguay

FIFA #17 · CONMEBOL

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

FIFA #61 · AFC

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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

Think Cape Verde can win the 2026 World Cup? Use our free simulator to predict every match and build the ultimate bracket.

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