Cape Verde Name Diaspora-Led Squad for First World Cup Appearance

Cape Verde set for World Cup

Cape Verde will face Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H after announcing their squad, with warm-up games vs Serbia and Bermuda confirmed.

Cape Verde include Logan Costa in World Cup squad despite injury concerns...

Cape Verde have named centre back Logan Costa in their 26-man World Cup squad, taking a risk on his fitness after a lengthy spell out injured. The squad was announced on Monday.

The Paris-born defender ruptured his ACL during a pre-season friendly last July. He made his return to action on Sunday, coming on as a late substitute for Villarreal in their 2-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

  

Logan Costa’s 13-minute appearance in La Liga was enough to persuade coach Bubista to include him. The 25-year-old is widely seen as Cape Verde’s best player.

The squad announcement held no major surprises. Bubista kept faith with the core group that secured the nation’s first-ever World Cup qualification.

With a population of around 600,000, Cape Verde are the third smallest country to reach a World Cup. Most of their players come from the country’s large overseas diaspora.

The squad is dominated by players born in France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and former colonial power Portugal. American-born goalkeeper Carlos dos Santos was also selected as backup to 39-year-old Vozinha.

Dos Santos had previously represented the United States, but FIFA approved his switch of allegiance last week. He is the only player in the squad yet to earn a cap for Cape Verde.

 

Cape Verde will face Serbia in a World Cup warm-up in Lisbon on May 31st, and then play Bermuda in East Hartford on June 6th.

At the World Cup, Cape Verde are in Group H. They begin against former champions Spain in Atlanta on June 15th, before playing Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Cape Verde World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Carlos dos Santos (San Diego), ‌Marcio Rosa (Montana 1921), Vozinha (Chaves)

Defenders: Sidny Cabral (Benfica), Diney Borges (Al Bataeh), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), ‌Kelvin Pires (SJK Seinajoki), Stopira (Torreense)

Midfielders: Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimaraes), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Laros Duarte (Puskas Akademia), Joao Paulo Fernandes (FCSB), Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina (FK Krasnodar), Yannick Semedo (Farense)

Forwards: Gilson Benchimol (Akron Togliatti), Jovane Cabral (Estrela da Amadora), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Ryan Mendes (Igdir), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul ⁠Basaksehir), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), ⁠Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia), Helio ‌Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

🚨 OFFICIEL : LA LISTE DU CAP-VERT POUR LA COUPE DU MONDE 2026 ! 🇨🇻🦈🏆 pic.twitter.com/PyKuWyxXWq

— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) May 18, 2026