Cape Verde: How a Small Nation Achieved Knockout Stage Success at the World Cup
Image source, Reuters
Published
Reading time: 5 minutes
Cape Verde has made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The team, made up of 10 islands spread across the Atlantic Ocean, has earned the chance to compete against former winners Argentina in the round of 32.
After a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia, the players gathered on the field around a mobile phone watching the final moments of Spain’s victory over Uruguay. That result confirmed Cape Verde as runners-up of Group H.
Commentator Rob, reporting live for BBC Radio 5 from Houston, said: “The stadium was filled with proud and happy tears.”
“All the players huddled around the mobile phone awaiting the final seconds of the city clock,” he added.
“As the time ran out, tears flowed both on the pitch and in the stands. What an unforgettable moment, perhaps the most emotional in World Cup history!”
Key Factors Behind the Success
Previously, Cape Verde had held Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha emerging as a hero. The team also managed a 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay.
Spanish former World Cup winner Juan Mata told ITV, “Their work ethic is incredible. It’s not just one game against Spain, they have shown excellent performance consistently in three matches.”
With a population of only 525,000, Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup by surpassing five-times African champions Cameroon. How did this small country achieve such success?
A key element of the ‘Blue Sharks’ success lies in the Cape Verde Football Federation’s decision to include players of Cape Verdean origin living overseas in the national team.
Cape Verde has strong ties with its former colonial power, Portugal. In the last century, repeated severe droughts led many people to leave the islands and settle permanently abroad.
Due to a tradition of maritime travel and involvement in maritime trade, a significant community of Cape Verdean origin also resides in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
Image source, Reuters
Out of the 26 players selected for the World Cup squad, 14 were born abroad, including six residents from Rotterdam.
Among them, forward Deylon Livramento, who played for Casa Pia in Portugal’s Primeira Liga last season, scored the decisive goal against Cameroon in the qualifying round in September.
Cape Verdean Member of Parliament Josina Fotus Favtus told BBC Sport Africa, “The FCF has made remarkable progress through enthusiasm, commitment, and technical planning.”
“The successes we see today are the result of many years of persistent hard work, strong belief, and dedicated individuals.”
The story of center-back Roberto Lopez, born in Dublin in 2019 and discovered through LinkedIn, is well-known.
Former Manchester United winger Bebe, who played for Portugal’s U-21 team, represented Cape Verde in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
“We have the confidence that we can compete with the world’s best teams,” he said.
“This confidence did not come suddenly; when I joined the team, plans were already in motion to bring Cape Verde up to par with the greatest football nations.”
Credit to the Team Coach
Much of Cape Verde’s outstanding performance is credited to coach Bubista, a former international player who has been in charge since January 2020.
Stable coaching management has helped the 56-year-old former center-back build an organized and disciplined team.
Under his leadership, Cape Verde has developed a squad with a strong defense, technically skilled midfielders, and talented forwards.
This team reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 by defeating Ghana and drawing against Egypt.
Notably, it took Cape Verde only 10 years from their first participation in this competition to qualify for the World Cup.
In the goalless draw against Spain, experienced goalkeeper Vozinha made seven outstanding saves and earned deep gratitude from the team. However, the team’s discipline was also impressive.
In their match against Spain, Cape Verde set a record by committing only one foul—the fewest ever in a World Cup since 1966.
Defender Sidney Lopez Cabral told BBC World Service, “We always train and play as a unit, so whatever happens on the pitch is not new to us.”
“That is our style of play. This is who we are. As a team and as defenders, this defines our personality.”
In the second group game against Uruguay, Cape Verde adopted a more aggressive and open style, yet showed resilience by securing a crucial equalizer in the second half.
Bubista stated, “More than the results, it’s important that we showcase the identity, strength, unity, and fighting spirit of the team.”
Image source, Reuters
In recognition of his role in qualifying Cape Verde for the World Cup, Bubista was named Africa’s Best Coach by the Confederation of African Football in 2025.
He has consistently insisted that his team is capable of competing with the world’s elite.
Before AFCON 2021, he told BBC Sport Africa, “Though our country is small, we have been performing well. I believe we will reach the World Cup in the future.”
Now his prediction has come true, and Bubista believes Cape Verde’s World Cup success will inspire underdog teams worldwide.
He remarked, “I truly believe football is for everyone.”
Facing Argentina in the Knockout Stage
Cape Verde will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the round of 32 on Friday in Miami.
Midfielder Deroi Duarte, who was named man of the match against Saudi Arabia, said, “It’s hard to believe this, it feels like a dream.”
“First, we will celebrate this achievement. We are very happy and hope all Cape Verdeans feel the same. Tomorrow, we will focus on the next game.”
“The next match is against Argentina; it will be very tough, but we believe anything is possible in football.”
Former coach Ange Postecoglou, who led Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Celtic, and the Australian national team, told ITV, “This is an inspiring story for this World Cup.”
“We often say football touches every corner of the world, and this is a perfect example.”
“Getting the chance to play former champions makes their story even more special. What a beautiful journey it has been.”
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville added, “Some people thought expanding the World Cup wasn’t the right decision, but now seeing Cape Verde’s supporters, they might have changed their minds. Because this is truly a historic moment.”
“For such a small country with just half a million population to reach the knockout stage is an extraordinary achievement. We saw Uruguay, a major football nation, eliminated while Cape Verde advanced. This moment will be unforgettable for them.”