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Heading to North America in 2026 — the journey begins here.
Cabo Verde is in the 48-team World Cup field. Group-stage opponents, dates, and host cities are listed below.
| Match | Opponent | City | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 13 Group H | Spain | Miami Miami Stadium | Jun 15 (Mon) |
| Match 37 Group H | Uruguay | ||
| Match 66 Group H | Saudi Arabia | Guadalajara Estadio Guadalajara | Jun 26 (Fri) |
Cape Verde defeats Eswatini 3-0 to seal their first-ever World Cup berth, becoming the smallest African nation to qualify for the tournament.
In their maiden AFCON appearance, the Blue Sharks defeat Angola and draw with Morocco and South Africa to reach the Quarter-finals.
| Year | Event | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Played their first international match against Guinea. | first appearance |
| 2013 | First qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reaching the Quarter-finals. | first appearance |
| 2023 | Reached the AFCON Quarter-finals, equaling their best result. | notable performance |
| 2026 | Qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, becoming the second-smallest nation by population to do so. | first appearance |
Reflecting its island and diaspora heritage, Cape Verdean support is highly festive and celebratory. Fans are known for using the Creole language and uniting players from across the global diaspora.
"Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks)!"
Vast, informal groups of diaspora fans in Portugal, France, and the US.
Joyful and carnival-like, with immense national pride given the small size of the country and the scale of their achievement.
Cape Verde is the second-smallest nation by population (under 600,000) to ever qualify for the men's World Cup.
Many top Portuguese players have Cape Verdean ancestry, but the current squad is drawn from 14 different foreign leagues.
The team's nickname, 'Blue Sharks' ('Tubarões Azuis'), reflects its island nature.
Cabo Verde's group-stage host cities are Miami, Guadalajara. Use the city guides to compare stadium access, lodging areas, and matchday routes.
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