By Juan Samuel Santana Chávez

The Cape Verde national team has become one of the biggest revelations of the 2026 World Cup. This small African nation, made up of ten islands in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of nearly 600,000, has managed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time and has surprised by drawing against powerhouses like Spain and Uruguay. Their footballing growth has been constant over the last decade under the guidance of coach Bubista.

Unlike other national teams, most Cape Verdean footballers develop their careers outside their country. Players like Vozinha played in Portugal, Bruno Varela plays in Saudi Arabia, Roberto Lopes in Ireland, Wagner Pina in Turkey, and Kevin Pina in Russia. In fact, practically the entire squad competes in European, Asian, or Middle Eastern leagues, taking advantage of the large Cape Verdean diaspora established mainly in Portugal, France, and the Netherlands.

Although Cape Verde has a national league, the local championship is semi-professional and divided into regional tournaments by island. Therefore, the best talents usually emigrate abroad from a young age. This combination of players trained in European academies and the pride of representing their roots has allowed the country to achieve historic milestones, such as its first World Cup participation and its first goal in a World Cup, scored by Kevin Pina against Uruguay. Today, the "Blue Sharks" demonstrate that a nation's size does not determine the greatness of its dreams.