Cape Verde's World Cup Dream: Can They Make History?

Cape Verde's road to World Cup

Cape Verde is just one win away from securing a historic World Cup spot, marking a remarkable turnaround for a team that would have been an unlikely qualifier two decades ago. With a blend of talented players and determination, they're on the cusp of making their mark on the global stage.

“I got a message from the then coach Rui Aguas, but he wrote to me in Portuguese. I thought it was spam and took no notice...”

Cape Verde is on the cusp of a historic achievement, just one win away from securing a spot in the World Cup. This milestone is a testament to the country's remarkable progress in football over the past two decades. With a population of approximately 600,000, the island nation has defied expectations, showcasing its determination and talent on the global stage.

The Cape Verde Islands' journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary. From averaging only two international games per year in the 1980s to becoming a formidable force in African football, the team has made significant strides. Their impressive 1-0 victory over Cameroon last month was a highlight, sparking jubilant celebrations across the archipelago.

If Cape Verde succeeds, it will become the second smallest country to qualify for the World Cup, following Iceland's participation in the 2018 tournament. The team's success can be attributed to a strategic talent identification process, which has tapped into the country's global diaspora, recruiting players from countries like Portugal, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Here is the Cape Verde 🇨🇻 squad that could take them to their first ever #FIFAWorldCup!

No new call-ups. Nobody comes back in. Going with the same squad from September except that Jovane, Alessio da Cruz, and David Moreira are dropped out.

🇱🇾 ✈️
🇸🇿 🏠 pic.twitter.com/OFEaVpP7ra

— The International Window (@windowintlpod) October 3, 2025

The team is set to face Libya on Wednesday, followed by a home match against Eswatini on Monday. Securing top spot in Group D is the goal, which would mean beating Cameroon to the automatic qualifying spot for the upcoming tournament in North America.

Cape Verde has had a notable run in the past, reaching the last stages of qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, their chances were derailed when they were deducted points for fielding a suspended player, ultimately missing out on the playoffs – and a chance to get two games away from reaching the finals.

Cape Verde's remarkable journey in football has seen them achieve impressive feats, including reaching the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in both their 2013 debut and the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast. Their coach's emotional reaction, bursting into song at the post-match press conference in 2013, showcased the team's pride and passion. This progress is even more remarkable considering the team's humble beginnings, having played only two international games per year in the late 1980s.

The country's football association implemented a strategic approach to talent identification, focusing on the large Cape Verdean diaspora worldwide. This initiative has paid off, attracting top players from Europe and beyond to represent the national team. Players like Roberto "Pico" Lopes, a Dutch-born defender who plays for Shamrock Rovers, have been recruited through innovative means, including a LinkedIn message from the team's coach. Lopes initially thought the message was spam but eventually joined the team, showcasing the success of Cape Verde's recruitment strategy.

“The football association devised new strategies around identifying and recruiting talent throughout the large Cape Verdean communities,” said U.S.-based agent Tony Araujo, who was born on the islands and worked closely with the team over decades.

“The talent identification and global recruitment process started to pay off huge dividends around 2013, when they qualified for their first Cup of Nations final.“

Cape Verde's history is marked by significant migration due to its scarce natural resources and harsh, arid landscape. This trend dates back to the Portuguese colonial period, with many islanders seeking better opportunities abroad. Over the years, migrants have flocked to countries like Portugal, the United States, and the Netherlands, particularly the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.

FT: | 🇬🇭 GHA 1-2 CPV 🇨🇻

Dramatic scenes as Cape Verde win it in stoppage time 🤯

Today's results in #AFCON2023 have been insane 😲#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/D07dR2MOeg

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 14, 2024

Main Destinations for Cape Verdean Migrants

• Portugal: Historically a primary destination, with approximately 36.4% of Cape Verde's emigrant population choosing Portugal as their new home.

• United States: The US is home to around 500,000 people of Cape Verdean ancestry, mainly in New England, where many worked in the whaling or shipping trade, textile industry, or operated packet ships.

• Netherlands: The Netherlands hosts a significant Cape Verdean community, with many having settled there in search of economic opportunities.

The country's diaspora has influenced its national team, with many talented players born abroad being scouted for the squad. For instance, six Dutch-born players have been included in the team for recent fixtures, alongside others born in Portugal, France, and Ireland. One notable example is Roberto “Pico” Lopes, a Dutch-born defender who plays for Shamrock Rovers and was recruited through innovative means.

“I set up a LinkedIn profile when I was in college but never really looked at it,” Lopes told Reuters.

“I got a message from the then coach Rui Aguas, but he wrote to me in Portuguese. I thought it was spam and took no notice.

“Then about nine months later, he messaged me back, saying, ‘Hi Roberto, have you had a chance to consider what I said to you?’ I copied the message into Google Translate. And it basically said that, ‘we're looking at getting new players into the Cape Verde squad and would you be interested in declaring for Cape Verde? I was absolutely buzzing with that! I was like, ‘yep, 100% I'd love to be a part of the squad’,” he recalled.

Cape Verde's national team has come a long way in attracting top talent from Europe. According to Tony Araujo, a US-based agent who works closely with the team, it was challenging in the past to lure European-based Cape Verdean players to represent the country. However, with recent successes, more talented players are now inclined to showcase their skills with Cape Verde.

“But with new waves of recent success, a lot more European-based talents are inclined to choose Cape Verde to showcase their talents at the international level.”

Cape Verde's upcoming matches are crucial in their quest for World Cup qualification. They face Libya on Wednesday, October 8, in Tripoli, a notoriously tough venue. Despite the challenge, they're confident in securing a spot with a potential win or by performing well in their final match against Eswatini on Sunday, October 12, at home.

Upcoming Matches:

• Libya vs. Cape Verde: Wednesday, October 8, 2025, World Cup Qualification CAF, 14:00 (Libya time)

• Cape Verde vs. Eswatini: Sunday, October 12, 2025, World Cup Qualification CAF, 16:00 (Cape Verde time)

The team is riding high after their 1-0 win over Cameroon last month, which sparked jubilant celebrations across the islands. Securing a World Cup spot would be a historic achievement, likely triggering even more fervent celebrations. With a strong squad, led by talented players like Logan Costa, Garry Rodrigues, and Ryan Mendes, Cape Verde is well-positioned to make a mark in the tournament.