* As the Blue Sharks declare they are ready to make history with a first appearance on football’s biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup 2026
* Their qualification marks a landmark achievement for a nation that has tapped into its extensive diaspora and is a rising force on the African continent
* They are drawn in a difficult but exciting group facing Spain first on June 15, Uruguay on June 21 and Saudi Arabia on June 27
Maravi Express
Having established themselves as regular contenders at the Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) and reaching its quarter-finals during the Côte d’Ivoire 2023 edition, Cape Verde have declared that they are ready to make history with a first appearance on football’s biggest stage, the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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The Blue Sharks have been one of African football’s great success stories over the last decade and their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification marks a landmark achievement for a nation that has tapped into its extensive diaspora and is a rising force on the African continent.
In their first appearance, they have been drawn in a difficult but exciting group in which they will first face world football giants, Spain on June 15 before meetings with Uruguay on June 21 and Saudi Arabia on June 27.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026 — being co-hosted the USA, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, Africa is being represented by South Africa from the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA); Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, DR Congo from West African Football Union (WAFU); and Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia (North Africa).
This marks DR Congo’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 when the country competed as Zaire as Cape Verde are preparing for the most significant moment in their football history.
Over the last decade, the Blue Sharks have been consistently punching above their weight despite a population of little more than half a million people.
Their head coach, Pedro Brito, better known as Bubista, has overseen the most successful period in Cape Verdean football history as the former international has built a side that combines experienced players based in Europe with a strong collective identity.
Pedro Brito
Under his leadership, Cape Verde reached the AfCON quarterfinals in Côte d’Ivoire 2023 and followed that achievement by securing a historic World Cup qualification.
His team are known for their organisation and defensive solidity and they qualified having produced an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing above Cameroon in their group.
The managed 23 points from a possible 30, losing only one game in 10, a 1-4 loss in Cameroon. They won four of their five home games and also took 10 points from 15 on the road, which proved crucial in the group that also had Libya, Angola, Mauritius and eSwatini.
Spain are being touted as the favourites to top their Group H while Uruguay bring huge tournament pedigree as two-time world champions. Saudi Arabia also have recent World Cup experience and will be viewed as a key fixture for the Blue Sharks.
With the expanded 48-team format allowing the top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, to advance to the Round of 32, Cape Verde will believe they have a chance of progressing if they can collect points in the right matches.
The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with about 550,000 inhabitants becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the FIFA World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000 people, qualified for Russia 2018.
“What a historic moment,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message soon after Cape Verde qualified. “Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible, and this is a moment where your stars will become global and power a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde.”—Info from CAFonline; edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
