President José Maria Neves: The Blue Sharks had it in them to surprise the world. (Picture credit Getty Images)
* We are playing to win — when expectations are low regarding a team, and if that team has the urge to win, it is possible
* A small nation like Cape Verde should make an effort to always do that — to permanently surprise people
By Paul Njie, BBC Sport Africa
President of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves, predicts his country will defeat defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 as the upstarts continue to “write their destiny”.
“We are playing to win — when expectations are low regarding a team, and if that team has the urge to win, it is possible,” he said in an exclusive interview with the BBC.
“A small nation like Cape Verde should make an effort to always do that — to permanently surprise people,” he said, and asked what happens if the Blue Sharks lose, Neves said there is no such thing as failure.
“Regardless of the outcome, we will leave the World Cup with our heads high and with a sense of mission accomplished.”
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Cape Verde — a group of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean — have now made history a second time by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages in their first-ever FIFA World Cup™.
They achieved an incredible goalless draw in their opening game against Spain in which 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was the hero, before a 2-2 draw with two-time world champions Uruguay.
Then came their goalless draw with Saudi Arabia on Saturday, which saw them finish as Group H runners-up after Spain’s win over Uruguay — to face Lionel Messi’s Argentina, bringing with them a newfound reputation for shocking their opponents.
Sixty-three places separate the sides in the world rankings, with the South Americans rated the best side on the globe and Cape Verde only the 13th best in Africa, according to Fifa.
Cape Verde’s team has “100% faith, 100% hope, and it would completely sweat out its jersey. So, we have a 100% chance to win against Argentina,” the country’s president told the BBC in the capital, Praia.
“We went to this World Cup to write our own destiny, which is, facing champions. So, we are going to face Argentina and Messi with the same determination, same will, and with a desire to win and reach the next phase.”
It echoes the words of Pedro Leitão Brito, Cape Verde’s coach more commonly known as Bubista, who at the weekend said “to us, nothing is impossible”.
“From the very beginning, we’ve said that one of the purposes we had was to show our country to the rest of the world,” Bubista said. “To be able to play Argentina and Messi in a phase like this is excellent for our country, regardless of the match itself.”
Midfielder Deroy Duarte has said he feels like he is “in a dream”, admitting that the tie against Argentina in the last 32 will be tough, “but let’s believe [because] anything is possible”.
Out of the nine African teams that qualified, four have been knocked with South Africa being first, who were beaten 1-0 by Canada; Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 to Norway, DR Congo 1-2 to England and Senegal lost 2-3 to Belgium.
Morocco, however — who made history by being the first African nation to reach the semifinals at the Qatar 2022 edition, held The Netherlands to 1-1 draw all the way through extra-time before winning 3-2 in post match penalties.
The Atlas Lions will meet Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday while the other four African representatives in the Round of 32 will play tomorrow — starting with Algeria against Switzerland (17h00); Egypt v Australia (20h00); Cape Verde v Argentina (00h00); and Ghana v Colombia (03h30).
Former Uruguay international striker Diego Forlan and former Bulgaria forward Hristo Stoichkov have praised Cape Verde after becoming the standout African fairytale appearance of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026.
Diego Forlan — the FIFA World Cup™ 2010 Golden Boot winner — said Cape Verde have benefited from playing with freedom and without the burden of expectation: “They’re enjoying it — I think they’re enjoying the game.
“This is their first time, the first time they have qualified, as well, to the next phase. They are playing Argentina. They don’t have anything to lose,” commented the, awarded to the tournament’s best player.
“Most of the players play in Portugal in the different divisions. They are very experienced players, physically strong. The keeper [Vozinha] is doing really well. They are like the underdogs, which you get at every World Cup.”
That underdog status has made Cape Verde one of the most popular stories of the tournament. Their players have shown discipline and emotional strength, while goalkeeper Vozinha has become one of the key figures in their historic campaign.
Messi given a standing ovation by Argentine fans
Against Argentina, Cape Verde will be clear outsiders, but Forlan believes knockout football can give brave teams a chance: “I think it’s going to be a very exciting game. Of course, it’s going to be very difficult for them.
“Argentina are doing really well. [Lionel] Messi is in great shape, scoring goals, but when you don’t have anything to lose and you’re playing, you’re enjoying it, you have a good team, you can play against anybody. Hopefully they can fight and they can make the game difficult for the opponent.”
The former Bulgaria forward Hristo Stoichkov said Cape Verde’s achievement had been one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament.
“What they’ve done is phenomenal. They’re going to be facing Argentina, but so far, it’s amazing, a fairy tale,” he told the FIFA Podcast.
“Cabo Verde are an organised, disciplined team. I watch their faces: they’re very happy – the players, and the coach. This is very important.”—Additional reporting by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Knockout stages results
* South Africa 0-1 Canada
* Jordan 1-3 Argentina
* Brazil 2-1 Japan
* Germany 1(3)-Paraguay 1(4)
* Netherlands 1(2)-Morocco 1(3)
* Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway
* France 3-0 Sweden
* Mexico 2-0 Ecuador
* England 1-2 DR Congo
* Belgium 3-2 Senegal
* USA 2-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Today
* Spain v Austria (21h00)
* Portugal v Croatia (01:00)
Friday
* Switzerland v Algeria (15h00)
* Australia v Egypt (20h00)
* Argentina v Cape Verde (00h00)
* Colombia v Ghana (03h30)
Saturday
* Canada v Morocco (19h00)
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