Cape Verde
The Cabo Verde National Soccer Team, founded in 1982 and governed by the Cape Verdean Football Federation, represents the island nation in FIFA and CAF competitions. Despite its small size, Cabo Verde has made remarkable progress, qualifying for multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. The team continues to rise on the international stage, symbolizing determination, unity, and pride in Cape Verdean football.
Explore the latest Cape Verde matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and stay updated on results, key moments, and standout player performances from every game.
Morocco W vs Cabo Verde
1 : 0
Jun 15, 2025 • Friendlies Women
Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé
Luxembourg W vs Cabo Verde
2 : 1
Jun 19, 2022 • Friendlies Women
Terrain 2 Bettembourg, Bettembourg
Cabo Verde made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time after finishing top of CAF Group D. The campaign began with a goalless draw against Angola, but the team quickly found momentum with away wins over Eswatini and Mauritius and a key home victory over Libya. Their biggest setback came in a 4-1 defeat to Cameroon in June 2024, but Cabo Verde responded strongly and stayed in control of the group. A 3-0 home win over Eswatini on October 13, 2025 officially sealed qualification.
Played
Qualification matches played
Won
Matches won
Drawn
Matches drawn
Lost
Matches lost
Goals For
Total goals scored
Goals Against
Total goals conceded
Goal Difference
GF minus GA
Points
3 per win, 1 per draw
Road to WC
Match | Date | MatchUp | Stadium | City | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 16, 2023 | Cabo Verde vs Angola | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | Praia | 0:0 |
2 | Nov 21, 2023 | Eswatini vs Cabo Verde | Mbombela Stadium | Mbombela | 0:2 |
3 | Jun 8, 2024 | Cameroon vs Cabo Verde | Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium | Yaoundé | 4:1 |
4 | Jun 11, 2024 | Cabo Verde vs Libya | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | Praia | 1:0 |
5 | Mar 20, 2025 | Cabo Verde vs Mauritius | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | Praia | 1:0 |
6 | Mar 25, 2025 | Angola vs Cabo Verde | Estádio 11 de Novembro | Luanda | 1:2 |
7 | Sep 4, 2025 | Mauritius vs Cabo Verde | Côte d'Or National Sports Complex | Saint Pierre | 0:2 |
8 | Sep 9, 2025 | Cabo Verde vs Cameroon | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | Praia | 1:0 |
9 | Oct 8, 2025 | Libya vs Cabo Verde | Tripoli Stadium | Tripoli | 3:3 |
10 | Oct 13, 2025 | Cabo Verde vs Eswatini | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | Praia | 3:0 |
Cabo Verde’s World Cup story is now defined by a historic breakthrough. The Blue Sharks qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2026, becoming one of the smallest nations ever to reach the tournament and marking the greatest achievement in the country’s football history. Their rise has been driven by resilience, smart development, and a squad that turned belief into reality.
Before reaching the global stage, Cabo Verde had already built a reputation as a dangerous and disciplined side in African football, regularly challenging bigger nations and growing in stature over recent years. The historic qualification campaign gave the country a defining football moment and lifted national pride across the islands and the diaspora. Coach Bubista played a central role in that rise, while players such as Roberto Lopes helped lead the team through a landmark era. For Cabo Verde, the 2026 World Cup is not just a debut — it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s football history.
Cabo Verde will make their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026. That qualification opened a completely new chapter in the nation’s football history.
Cabo Verde’s best World Cup finish is still to be determined, as 2026 will be their debut tournament. Reaching the finals itself already stands as the greatest World Cup achievement in the country’s history.
Ryan Mendes is Cabo Verde’s all-time top scorer with 22 international goals. He has been one of the defining attacking figures in the team’s rise.
Ryan Mendes also holds the national team appearance record, with 94 caps listed in recent records. His longevity has made him one of the central figures in Cabo Verde’s modern football history.
By qualifying for 2026, Cabo Verde became one of the smallest nations ever to reach the men’s World Cup. The breakthrough was sealed with a 3–0 win over Eswatini in the decisive qualifier.
Ryan Mendes
A long-serving attacker and former captain, Mendes has been one of Cabo Verde’s most influential players. His speed, pressing work, and experience in European and Middle Eastern leagues made him a central figure in multiple AFCON campaigns. He remains an important offensive option during the World Cup 2026 qualifying journey.
Garry Rodrigues
Rodrigues is known for his consistent contributions in wide areas, offering direct running and reliable chance creation. With experience in Turkey, Greece, and Saudi Arabia, he brings stability and attacking maturity to the national side. His performances have played a significant role in helping Cabo Verde maintain competitiveness in qualification.
Vozinha
One of the national team’s most recognizable veterans, Vozinha has accumulated many international caps and is known for his positional awareness and steady shot-stopping. His leadership is valuable in guiding younger defenders, particularly during intense qualification fixtures.
Roberto Lopes
Bebé provides defensive solidity and is often involved in build-up play on the right flank. His balanced style — combining marking discipline with occasional forward support — has helped Cabo Verde maintain structure against both African giants and regional opponents during qualification phases.
Logan Costa
A commanding centre-back and one of the key pillars of Cabo Verde’s current defense, Costa brings aerial strength and top-level experience. He has been named as one of the players anchoring the back line in crucial qualification games.
Jamiro Monteiro
Monteiro is an important midfield figure with substantial MLS experience. He offers controlled passing and transitional work that stabilizes Cabo Verde’s midfield. His ability to manage tempo and connect defense with attack makes him crucial in World Cup qualification matches.
Héldon
A technically gifted attacking midfielder, Héldon was one of Cabo Verde’s most productive creators of the 2010s. With 49 FIFA caps and 13 goals, he also built a strong club career in Portugal and beyond.
Lito
An important earlier-era international, Lito provided goals and experience for a decade with Cabo Verde. He finished with 47 caps and 7 goals, and enjoyed a long club career in Portugal, including extensive Primeira Liga experience.
Babanco
A long-serving central midfielder and versatile leader, Babanco gave Cabo Verde balance through years of AFCON and qualifying cycles. He earned 62 caps (5 goals) and spent most of his club career in Portugal’s top leagues, valued for discipline, positioning, and tempo control.
Marco Soares
A dependable midfield organiser who could also play deeper roles, Soares brought structure, work rate, and experience across a long international run. He recorded 51 FIFA matches and 3 goals for Cabo Verde, often providing stability in high-pressure fixtures.
Follow Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and discover where the team will play throughout the tournament. Explore the full match schedule, host cities, and stadiums set to stage some of the competition’s biggest moments. From group-stage fixtures to possible knockout-round drama, find everything you need to experience the action live at football’s biggest event.
Cabo Verde has never appeared at a FIFA World Cup before — 2026 is their first-ever World Cup.
Cabo Verde has never reached a World Cup final before 2026, this is their debut tournament.
Cabo Verde has not reached the knockout stage before 2026 because they had no previous World Cup appearances.
Their best result is to be determined at the 2026 World Cup, since it will be their first appearance.
Cabo Verde have no World Cup results yet, as they make their tournament debut in 2026.
Cabo Verde’s biggest matchups are typically regional, with frequent competitive meetings against nearby West African sides such as Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.
Cabo Verde qualified through CAF qualification, sealing a historic first-ever World Cup place after a 3–0 win over Eswatini on 13 October 2025 to finish top of their qualifying group.
Cabo Verde’s group-stage matches are scheduled in Atlanta, Miami, and Houston. They face Spain in Atlanta on June 15, 2026, then Uruguay in Miami on June 21, 2026, and finish the group against Saudi Arabia in Houston on June 26, 2026.
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