Cape Verde will face World Cup regulars Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia during their debut at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Head coach Pedro Leito Brito, also known as Bubista, a defender during a 10-year playing career at clubs in Spain, Angola and Portugal, was characteristically straightforward.
"Whenwe qualified,I said that we wanted to play the best teams at the World Cup," the former Cape Verde international told the website of World Cuporganisers Fifa.
"And we were lucky to get Spain, who are near the top of theFifa rankings," added the 55-year-old, who took charge of the national team in January 2020.
"There's also Uruguay, who've been world champions twice, and former Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia. We feel very relaxed."
Curaao snatch World Cup accolade
Cape Verde, a nation of just under 600,000 people, lost the distinction of smallest nation to reach a World Cup when Curaao, with a population of 158,000, qualified in November 2025.
The Blue Sharks, as Cape Verde are nicknamed, made an uncertain start to qualifying.
They drew with Angola, beat Eswatini and lost 4-1 in Cameroon in Yaound, leaving them fourth in African qualifying Group D with four points, three behind pacesetters Cameroon and Libya.
Bounce back
The defeat in Cameroon preceded a strong run of form. Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including away victories over Angola and a home win against Cameroon, leaving them needing three points from their final two matches.
They secured one with a 3-3 draw in Libya on 8 October before clinching their World Cup place with a 3-0 victory over Eswatinion 13 October.
Cape Verde add new line to list of old names from Africa at 48-team World Cup
The Blue Sharks nonetheless arrive at the 2026 tournament with limited collective experience of international competition.
They have qualified only four times for the biennial Africa Cup of Nations since gaining independence from Portugal in July 1975 and joining theConfederation of African Football,which organises that tournament.
Even after becoming a Fifa member in 1986, Cape Verde did not enter World Cup qualifying. When they began to do so from 2002, success proved elusive.
Bubista, who did not guide the team to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has built a cohesive squad drawing on foreign-based players such as Cape Verde-born, Bulgaria-based goalkeeper Marcia da Rosa, alongside members of the diaspora including defender Steven Moreira and striker Willy Semedo, both born to Cape Verdean parents near Paris.
"Our primary goal at the World Cup will be to show character and take pride in representing our country," said Bubista when naming his World Cup squad.
"This team has demonstrated that for a long time now, but we must continue to assert our identity, both as a team and as a people. Everything we do, we must do with great discipline and respect in defending the colours of Cape Verde."
World Cup adventure
Cape Verde's Group H campaign opens against Spain on 15 June in Atlanta. Six days later they face Uruguay in Miami, before concluding the group stage against Saudi Arabia on 26 June in Houston.
Ryan Mendes, who has played for clubs in France, England, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates since 2009, will captain the side.
The 36-year-old will be joined in attack by the 35-year-olds Garry Rodrigues and Nuno da Costa.
The experienced forwards will compete for places with younger options including Gilson Benchimol, Jovane Cabral, Dailon Livramento and Hlio Varela.
"The list is based on the players' international careers, their performance at their clubs, as well as their skills and versatility," said Bubista.
"We hope that they will represent Cape Verde with pride at this World Cup."
Originally published on RFI
