The Blue Sharks — one of football's greatest debut stories.
Long-serving Blue Sharks defender and one of the most experienced names of the modern Cabo Verde era.
Top-flight European striker who has been one of Cabo Verde's most prolific scorers across his international career.
Wide attacker with experience across Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, central to Cabo Verde's recent campaigns.
Player information reflects historical significance, not current squad selection.
Cabo Verde's 2026 qualification is a historic first: a small island nation of around half a million people reaching the World Cup, one of the great debut stories in tournament history.
Cabo Verde first announced themselves at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals on debut and proving that a small nation could compete on the continental stage.
The Blue Sharks' squad is built largely from a global diaspora, with players developing in Portugal, France, the Netherlands, and beyond before choosing to represent Cabo Verde.
Cabo Verde have never appeared at a World Cup before. Their 2026 qualification is a historic first for a small Atlantic island nation built around a global diaspora and a compact, organized tactical model.
Cabo Verde sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, making them one of the smallest nations by population ever to reach the tournament.
Cabo Verde reached the quarter-finals on their AFCON debut in 2013, a result that put the islands on the continental football map.
Team information is based on historical records and official FIFA data. Player information reflects historical significance, not current squad selection. Facts are reviewed for accuracy but may not reflect the most recent competition results.
FIFA 2026 World Cup teams →