Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup: roster, list, players, group and schedule
The African nation are set to embark on their first ever World Cup journey and are pitted in Group H with favourites Spain.
The “Blue Sharks” of Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) are entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s ultimate fairy-tale stories, making their historic debut after stunningly topping their qualifying group ahead of African powerhouse Cameroon.
Managed by Bubista, the tiny Atlantic archipelago nation of just 600,000 people relies on a balanced blend of veteran grit and emerging youth. The squad is anchored by 40-year-old historic goalkeeper Vozinha and 36-year-old captain Ryan Mendes, the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer who remains their emotional and attacking reference point.
Alongside these veterans, Villarreal’s commanding center-back Logan Costa provides elite technical composure in defense, while 25-year-old forward Dailon Livramento—who led the team with four goals in qualifying—supplies the electric pace and clinical finishing needed to threaten Group H heavyweights Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
Goalkeepers:
- Josimar Dias (Chaves),
- Márcio da Rosa (Montana),
- Carlos Santos (San Diego)
Defenders:
- Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew)
- Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor),
- João Paulo Fernandes (FCSB),
- Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica),
- Logan Costa (Villarreal),
- Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers),
- Kelvin Pires (SJK Seinäjoki),
- Ianique Tavares (Torreense),
- Edilson Borges (Al-Bataeh CSC)
Midfielders:
- Jamiro Monteiro (Zwolle),
- Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimarães),
- Yannick Semedo (Farense),
- Laros Duarte (Puskas AFC),
- Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets),
- Kevin Pina (Krasnodar)
Forwards:
- Ryan Mendes (Igdir FK),
- Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia),
- Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol),
- Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora),
- Nuno da Costa (Basaksehir FK),
- Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia),
- Gilson Benchimol (Akron Togliatti),
- Hélio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Schedule and group for Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Monday, June 15: Cape Verde vs Spain
Sunday, June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Friday, June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
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