World Cup 2026: When the 'Blue Sharks' venture into the open sea

In Cape Verde, morna music is the soul of the people. Famous songs like 'Sodade' tell of the longing for home felt by tens of thousands who left the archipelago seeking opportunities abroad. Now, that nostalgia is being replaced by excitement. Cape Verdeans are turning their attention to the national team—nicknamed the 'Blue Sharks'—which made history by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. With a population of fewer than 600,000, Cape Verde becomes one of the smallest nations ever to take part in the world's biggest football event.

What makes the Cape Verde team special is the blend of players developed locally and talents born abroad who still carry Cape Verdean blood. Notable figures include Roberto Lopes, born in Ireland; Logan Costa, born in France and currently playing for Villarreal CF; and many other players from Cape Verdean communities in Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and the USA. This demonstrates the unique bond between the country and its vast diaspora, which is many times larger than the domestic population.

Cape Verde made a strong impression in World Cup qualifying, winning 7 out of 10 matches. The most memorable victory was against Cameroon, a long-standing powerhouse in African football. Under the guidance of head coach Pedro Leitão Brito (commonly known as Bubista), the team developed a disciplined, fast-paced playing style with a fighting spirit.

In the city of Mindelo on São Vicente Island, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars that once echoed with morna tunes are now preparing for lively World Cup nights. Locals believe the tournament is a rare opportunity for their country to gain greater global recognition. A hotel worker in Mindelo shared that the World Cup will help Cape Verde achieve 'more presence on the world map,' while many citizens view this as a historic moment for the entire nation.

However, the journey of the 'Blue Sharks' will not be easy. They are grouped with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. This is a very tough group, especially since Spain and Uruguay are both rated significantly higher. Nevertheless, in Cape Verde, fans are not just dreaming of participating in the World Cup. After the miracle of qualifying, they have started to believe that the team can absolutely pull off surprises and earn historic points. Coach Bubista stated: 'We want to show the world that even though we are a small nation, we can still compete with the big teams. Nothing is impossible.'

That is the mood spreading across the Cape Verde archipelago ahead of the 2026 World Cup kickoff: pride, hope, and readiness to write a new chapter in African football history.