SJK Midfielder Kelvin Pires Named in Cape Verde’s World Cup Squad

Kelvin Pires makes Cape Verde squad for 2026 World Cup  

Finland’s Veikkausliiga will have a representative at the 2026 World Cup after Kelvin Pires earned a place in debutants Cape Verde’s 26-man squad.

After scoring for Cape Verde against Finland in March, Pires has secured a spot in the squad facing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H...

Kelvin Pires of SJK Seinajoki has earned a place in Cape Verde’s squad, making him the Veikkausliiga’s representative at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.

It marks the first time since 2018 that a player from Finland’s top league will feature at the tournament. That year Abdallah El Said of KuPS played for Egypt in Russia.

A path back into the squad through persistence

Pires first received a call-up for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2019, but his debut for Cape Verde did not come until September 2021. That match was a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, and he later played in a friendly victory over Liechtenstein in 2022.

Although he did not appear in any of Cape Verde’s qualifiers for the 2026 tournament, Pires worked his way back into coach Bubista’s plans at the right moment. He featured in a friendly against Egypt last November, then earned his fourth cap and scored his first international goal in the FIFA Series in March against Finland.

KELVIN PIRES LÄHTEE MM-KISOIHIN! 🇨🇻

SJK:n puolustaja Kelvin Pires valittiin Kap Verden miehistöön kesäkuussa alkaviin MM-kisoihin. Kisat pelataan Yhdysvalloissa, Kanadassa ja Meksikossa 11.6. alkaen.

Valtavat onnittelut Kelvin! 🤩👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/YT6mdmekBD

— SJK Seinäjoki (@SJK_Seinajoki) May 18, 2026

That performance helped the 26-year-old secure a spot in the 26-man squad. The group includes players based in 14 different countries, with clubs in the USA, UAE, Ireland, Bulgaria, Portugal, Israel and beyond.

Pires prepares for World Cup debut with Cape Verde

Pires is aiming to add to his international experience when Cape Verde face Serbia in a pre-tournament friendly in Lisbon. After that, the squad will travel to the United States for the World Cup.

Cape Verde open their first ever World Cup campaign on 15 June against Spain in Atlanta. They then meet Uruguay in Miami on 21 June, with kickoff at 00:00 CEST on 22 June. Their Group H schedule finishes against Saudi Arabia on 26 June, 02:00 CEST on 27 June, in Houston.

Pires started his career at Cape Verdean club Batuque before joining SJK from AS Trencin. He arrived on loan in 2024 and made the move permanent a year later. He missed SJK’s opening match of the 2026 season due to national team duty, but has played every minute since. He also scored against Mariehamn last month.

His absence will be felt by SJK, who sit 10th in the Veikkausliiga and will be without him for at least five league games.