FIFA World Cup 2026 Cape Verde: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
On October 13, 2025, a small island nation of 525,000 people made history. Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0, topped CAF Group D, and booked a place at the FIFA World Cup for the very first time. The Blue Sharks are in Group H at the World Cup 2026, and Cape Verde face Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. It is the toughest possible arena for a debut, and also the biggest stage the archipelago has ever seen.
Cape Verde head to their inaugural World Cup ranked 69th in the world as of April 1, 2026. Manager Bubista, full name Pedro Leitão Brito, has led the team since 2020 and won CAF African Head Coach of the Year in November 2025 for his achievement. The qualifying campaign was no fluke.
Cape Verde finished four points clear of Cameroon in their group with a 7-2-1 record across ten matches.
Cape Verde World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Cape Verde operates on Cape Verde Time (CVT), which is UTC−1 with no daylight saving time. Subtract one hour from Eastern Time to get local time in Praia.
| Date | Opponent | Time (CVT) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, June 15 | Spain | 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium |
| Sun, June 21 | Uruguay | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium |
| Fri, June 26 | Saudi Arabia | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Houston Stadium |
Cape Verde’s schedule throws them straight into the deep end. The opener against Spain at Atlanta Stadium is a baptism of fire. Six days later comes Uruguay in Miami. The realistic path to the Round of 32 runs through the final group game against Saudi Arabia in Houston.
The top two from each group advance automatically, and the eight best third-placed teams also advance to the Round of 32.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Cape Verde
SuperSport holds the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across Africa, including Cape Verde. All 104 matches air live on SuperSport channels via DStv, available from the Access package upward, and also on GOtv. Full broadcaster details by country are listed at the World Cup 2026 TV channels guide.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Cape Verde
DStv subscribers can stream every match through the MyDStv app on iOS and Android. GOtv subscribers access coverage via the MyGOtv app. FIFA+ offers free streaming of selected matches globally through the FIFA website and app on most devices.
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Cape Verde
Rádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, the national public broadcaster, has historically covered major national team matches with live commentary. Supporters outside Cape Verde can find audio through radio aggregator apps such as TuneIn, which carries several African sports broadcasters with tournament coverage.
Cape Verde World Cup History & Record
Cape Verde have never played at a FIFA World Cup before 2026. Their federation was formed in 1982, joined FIFA in 1986, and played their first international in 1978. Decades of qualifying campaigns passed without a finals berth. They showed flashes in Africa Cup of Nations competition, reaching the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023, but the World Cup remained out of reach.
The 2026 cycle changed everything. Cape Verde entered CAF Group D alongside Cameroon, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, and Mauritius. They finished top with 7 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss across ten matches. 16 goals scored, 8 conceded. Cameroon finished four points back.
The qualification clincher, a 3-0 win over Eswatini on October 13, 2025, came through goals by Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira. The islands erupted. It was the moment a generation had been working toward since the federation’s founding.
Cape Verde FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Nobody is picking Cape Verde to escape Group H. Spain are European champions and among the tournament favourites. Uruguay carry World Cup pedigree from multiple deep runs. Saudi Arabia, who shocked Argentina in 2022, are the most familiar with this level.
Cape Verde enter as the clear outsiders, and Bubista knows it. His approach will be built on the same principles that won him CAF Coach of the Year: a compact defensive block, disciplined pressing, and lethal counter-attacks when the gaps open.
Ryan Mendes (Igdir FK), the captain and all-time leading scorer with 22 goals from 96 caps, turns 36 during the tournament. This is the World Cup he spent his entire career chasing, with stints at Lille, Nottingham Forest, and Le Havre along the way.
Jovane Cabral (CF Estrela Amadora) provides the electric wing pace to make the counter-attack dangerous.
Stopira (SC União Torreense) anchors a defence that kept Cape Verde solid across ten qualifying matches, conceding just eight times.
Goalkeeper Vozinha (Chaves) has the experience to handle elite-level pressure.
The Saudi Arabia match on June 26 is the key fixture. Cape Verde will almost certainly take nothing from Spain or Uruguay. If they arrive at that final game with something to play for, the grinding resilience they showed in African qualifying could prove decisive. A point would be a statement. Anything more would be a story told for decades on the islands.
Cape Verde FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Cape Verde in at the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde are in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. Their three group stage matches are played on June 15, June 21, and June 26, 2026.
When is Cape Verde’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde face Spain on Monday, June 15, 2026, kicking off at 12:00 PM ET (11:00 AM local Cape Verde time) at Atlanta Stadium.
How did Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Cape Verde topped CAF Group D with a 7-2-1 record, finishing four points ahead of Cameroon. They clinched qualification on October 13, 2025, with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini, marking the country’s first-ever World Cup appearance.
Who is Cape Verde’s head coach?
Cape Verde are managed by Bubista (Pedro Leitão Brito), in charge since 2020. He won the CAF African Head Coach of the Year award in November 2025 after guiding the islands to their first World Cup qualification.
What is Cape Verde’s best World Cup result?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is Cape Verde’s first-ever appearance at the finals. Every match in North America will be a new chapter in the country’s football history.
Do Cape Verde fans need a visa to attend the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Cape Verde is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. Citizens will need to apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa through the US Embassy in Cape Verde.
Who are Cape Verde’s key players for the 2026 World Cup?
Captain Ryan Mendes (Igdir FK) leads as all-time top scorer. Jovane Cabral (CF Estrela Amadora) brings pace on the wing. Stopira (SC União Torreense) organises the defence, and Vozinha (Chaves) starts in goal.
The World Cup 2026 Cape Verde journey starts in Atlanta on June 15. A nation of 525,000 people reach the World Cup for the first time, and Bubista’s Blue Sharks earned every second through ten gruelling qualifying matches in Africa’s most competitive group.
