Ryan Mendes
The talisman. The captain is Cape Verde's all-time leader in both caps and goals, a forward who has carried the national team for more than a decade. His leadership has been central to the run to a first World Cup.
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Team Guide · 2026 World Cup
Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup
It is one of the great stories of the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde, a cluster of ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic with a population of around 525,000, have reached the World Cup for the very first time. The Blue Sharks did it the convincing way too, topping their African qualifying group four points clear of Cameroon and never conceding at home. Coached by the former international Bubista, named CAF Coach of the Year for the feat, they lean on captain Ryan Mendes, Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa and a squad assembled from one of football's most productive diasporas. Drawn into Group H with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, this is the squad, the qualification story, the fixtures, and an island nation's first dance on the biggest stage.
H
Group
1st
World Cup
525K
Population
26
Squad
History made. Cape Verde reached a first ever World Cup by topping their CAF group ahead of Cameroon, sealing it with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini in October 2025. Bubista's 26-man squad is built on the country's diaspora across Portugal and the Netherlands, led by captain Ryan Mendes. Cape Verde open against Spain in Atlanta on 15 June, face Uruguay in Miami, then finish against Saudi Arabia in Houston.
The Key Players
The spine of Bubista's Cape Verde
Cape Verde mix experienced leaders with a clutch of players built in Europe's academies. These are the names the historic campaign turns on.
Logan Costa
The star defender. The Villarreal centre-back is the most high-profile name in the squad, a commanding, ball-playing presence at the heart of the back line and proof of how far Cape Verde's talent pool now reaches.
Jamiro Monteiro
The midfield driver. A box-to-box midfielder developed in the Netherlands, Monteiro brings energy, quality on the ball and Major League Soccer pedigree. He is the link between defence and attack.
Roberto Lopes
The story within the story. Dublin-born and known as Pico, the Shamrock Rovers defender famously discovered his Cape Verdean roots through a social media search. Now he is a defensive mainstay heading to a World Cup.
Garry Rodrigues
The wide threat. A direct, experienced winger who has played in the Netherlands, Turkey, Greece and beyond, Rodrigues gives Cape Verde the kind of one-on-one quality that can unlock a tight game.
Bubista
The architect. Pedro Leitao Brito, a former Cape Verde international, has coached the side since 2020 and was named 2025 CAF Coach of the Year. He built the team that delivered the country's greatest sporting achievement.
The Squad
Cape Verde's 26-man squad by position
Bubista's squad is a portrait of the Cape Verdean diaspora, drawing on players based in Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United States and Ireland, several of whom chose Cape Verde over the country of their birth. Veteran left-back Stopira and goalkeeper Vozinha add experience, while Casa Pia forward Dailon Livramento, who scored the goal that clinched qualification, leads a youthful supporting cast. Below is the full squad by position; club listings can shift over the summer window.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- VozinhaVice-captain
- Marcio Rosa
- Carlos Santos
Defenders
9 in the squad
- Steven MoreiraColumbus Crew
- Wagner PinaTrabzonspor
- Joao Paulo FernandesFCSB
- Sidny Lopes CabralBenfica
- Logan CostaVillarreal
- Roberto LopesShamrock Rovers
- Kelvin PiresSJK Seinajoki
- StopiraTorreense
- DineyAl-Bataeh
Midfielders
6 in the squad
- Jamiro MonteiroPEC Zwolle
- Telmo ArcanjoVitoria Guimaraes
- Laros DuartePuskas Akademia
- Deroy DuarteLudogorets
- Kevin PinaKrasnodar
- Yannick SemedoFarense
Forwards
8 in the squad
- Ryan MendesCaptain
- Willy SemedoOmonia Nicosia
- Garry RodriguesApollon Limassol
- Jovane CabralEstrela Amadora
- Nuno da CostaBasaksehir
- Dailon LivramentoCasa Pia
- Gilson TavaresAkron Togliatti
- Helio VarelaMaccabi Tel Aviv
The squad's spread of clubs tells the story of how a nation of half a million can build a World Cup team: a global diaspora, a clear identity under Bubista, and a core that has grown together through two strong AFCON campaigns. Logan Costa and Jamiro Monteiro give it genuine quality, and Ryan Mendes gives it a leader. Club listings can change over the summer window.
The Story
The story behind the squad
Three threads define Cape Verde's 2026 campaign: a historic first, a diaspora team, and a fearless underdog spirit.
A Maiden World Cup
The breakthrough. Cape Verde had never reached a World Cup before 2026. Topping their group ahead of Cameroon, and keeping a clean sheet in every home qualifier, made it the greatest moment in the country's sporting history.
Built Across Europe
The secret. From Logan Costa in Spain to Jamiro Monteiro in the Netherlands and Roberto Lopes in Ireland, Cape Verde turned a vast diaspora into a squad far greater than the islands' size would suggest.
Quarter-Final Form
The proof. This is no fluke. Cape Verde reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2013 and again in early 2024, beating bigger nations along the way. They arrive at the World Cup knowing they can compete.
Group H
The group and the fixtures
Cape Verde were drawn into Group H with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. It is a daunting draw: Spain are reigning European champions and among the favourites, and Uruguay are dangerous dark horses under Marcelo Bielsa. The realistic target is the final-day meeting with Saudi Arabia, with a positive result there the likely route to any further hopes. Their three matches keep them in the south and east of the United States.
Spain vs Cape Verde
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Sun 21 Jun 2026
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
Fri 26 Jun 2026
A tough opener against Spain in Atlanta is followed by Uruguay in Miami and a potentially decisive finale against Saudi Arabia in Houston. For the full picture of all 104 games, see the WorldCuply.com match schedule, and read our guides to Group H rivals Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
The Ceiling
How far can Cape Verde go?
Cape Verde are among the rank outsiders, but the expanded format gives even the smallest nations a path:
- A settled, experienced core. Many of these players have grown up together through two AFCON quarter-final runs, and they defend as a unit.
- Genuine quality in key areas. Logan Costa at the back and Jamiro Monteiro in midfield would not look out of place in any squad in the group.
- A winnable third game. Saudi Arabia on the final day is the fixture Cape Verde will circle as their best chance of points.
- The format helps. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, even a single win could keep a best-third dream alive.
- The challenge. Scoring against Spain and Uruguay. Cape Verde will need to be ruthless with the few chances they create.
Spain are overwhelming favourites to win the group and Uruguay are strong, so simply reaching the knockouts would be a fairytale. But for a nation of half a million making its debut, every match is already a victory, and a first World Cup goal or point would be celebrated across the islands for years. Fellow debutants and even smaller nation Curacao share the same dream in Group E.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Is this Cape Verde's first World Cup?
Yes. The 2026 World Cup is Cape Verde's first ever appearance at the finals, a historic debut for one of the smallest nations ever to qualify. The Blue Sharks had never previously reached a World Cup.
How did Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde topped their CAF qualifying group, finishing four points clear of Cameroon and winning eight of their ten matches. They sealed it on the final matchday in October 2025 with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini in Praia, and did not concede a single goal in any of their home qualifiers.
Who is Cape Verde's coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Pedro Leitao Brito, universally known as Bubista, a former Cape Verde international who has coached the national team since 2020. He was named CAF Men's Coach of the Year in 2025 for guiding the country to its first World Cup.
What group are Cape Verde in at the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde are in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Spain are among the tournament favourites and Uruguay are dark horses, so the Blue Sharks will likely target the meeting with Saudi Arabia.
What are Cape Verde's group fixtures at the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde open against Spain on 15 June at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, face Uruguay on 21 June at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and finish against Saudi Arabia on 26 June at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Who are Cape Verde's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Ryan Mendes, the country's all-time leader in caps and goals, leads the line. Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa is the most high-profile defender, with midfielder Jamiro Monteiro, defender Roberto Lopes and winger Garry Rodrigues all key. Veteran left-back Stopira adds experience.
What is Cape Verde's nickname?
Cape Verde are known as the Blue Sharks, Tubaroes Azuis in Portuguese, after the waters that surround the Atlantic archipelago off the coast of West Africa.
Are Cape Verde one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup?
Yes. With a population of around 525,000, Cape Verde are among the smallest nations ever to qualify. Fellow 2026 debutants Curacao, with a population near 156,000, are even smaller, making 2026 a landmark tournament for tiny footballing nations.
Why do so many Cape Verde players come from Portugal and the Netherlands?
Cape Verde has a large diaspora across Portugal, the Netherlands, France and beyond. The squad is built heavily on players born or developed in those countries who qualify through Cape Verdean heritage, which has transformed the talent pool of a small island nation.
Can Cape Verde get out of the group in 2026?
It would be a major surprise, but it is not impossible. With the top two plus the eight best third-placed sides advancing in the 48-team format, a positive result against Saudi Arabia and an upset against Uruguay could put a best-third finish within reach. Cape Verde reached the AFCON quarter-finals in 2013 and 2024, so they have shown they can compete.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
Cape Verde are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Spain Squad
Cape Verde's Group H opener and the reigning European champions, Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
Read the Spain guide ›Uruguay Squad
Cape Verde's Group H rivals, Marcelo Bielsa's dark horses with Valverde and Nunez.
Read the Uruguay guide ›Curacao Squad
The other history-making 2026 debutant, and the smallest nation ever to qualify.
Read the Curacao guide ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to Cape Verde.
Open the schedule ›Sources
Where this page comes from
This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm Cape Verde's squad, coach, qualification, group and fixtures:
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