Cabo Verde
CAF • CAF
Tournament Outlook
Group stage exit likely against Spain and Uruguay, but their proven ability to outperform expectations could deliver a memorable result.
Best World Cup Result: Debut (2026)
About Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde, the volcanic archipelago off West Africa's coast, are known as "Tubarões Azuis" (Blue Sharks). With a population of just 525,000, they qualified through a dominant CAF campaign finishing four points ahead of Cameroon. Their squad is a true diaspora team, drawing players from Portugal, France, and even Ireland.
Playing Style: Coach Bubista deploys a 4-2-3-1 emphasizing tactical discipline, compact defending, and well-organized counter-attacks. His system prioritizes teamwork over individual brilliance with two holding midfielders providing a defensive shield.
Key Players
Ryan Mendes
Free Agent
Dailon Livramento
Casa Pia (loan from Hellas Verona)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Outstanding qualifying campaign: 7 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss
- Strong diaspora pipeline from Portugal, France, Netherlands, Ireland
- Bubista's tactical discipline and team-first mentality
- Deep emotional motivation as debutants
Weaknesses
- Very small player pool from 525,000 population
- No World Cup experience
- Limited attacking depth
- Demanding Group H with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia
World Cup Schedule
Fun Facts
- ⚽Roberto "Pico" Lopes initially ignored his national team call-up on LinkedIn thinking it was spam
- ⚽Cabo Verde is the smallest nation by area (4,033 km²) ever to reach the men's World Cup finals
- ⚽More Cape Verdeans live in the diaspora (~1 million) than on the islands themselves (~525,000)
Team Info
- FIFA Code
- CPV
- Confederation
- CAF
- World Cup Appearances
- 1
- Group
- Group H
Fan Culture
A small but enormously passionate fanbase amplified by a global diaspora — more Cape Verdeans live abroad than on the islands.
Known as: Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks)
Famous Chants: