Cape Verde might have been the World Cup’s second-smallest nation, but they made a huge impression on the 2026 tournament.
Move over Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane — the debutants stole the spotlight.
Goalkeeper Vozinha’s heroics secured their first-ever World Cup point against Spain.
Then came the excitement of their first World Cup goals against Uruguay.
And Sidny Lopes Cabral’s sensational strike nearly produced the tournament’s biggest upset against Argentina.
Cape Verde’s World Cup adventure had everything.
When extra time ended in Miami on Friday night, the Blue Sharks sank to the turf after a gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to defending champions Argentina in the last 32 — but they departed the United States having won a legion of admirers.
“Cape Verde may have been beaten, but in many ways they were winners,” said former Scotland international James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live.
He praised their courage, togetherness, unity and unwavering belief in themselves.
McFadden added that Cape Verde have been the story of the tournament — exactly what you hope to see in a football team.
They arrived ranked 67th in the world, but three group-stage draws — including a 0-0 against European champions Spain in their opener — set up the daunting prospect of trying to pull off one of the World Cup’s great shocks.
Against Argentina, they trailed to a Messi goal before levelling to force extra time. They fell behind again, only for Cabral to thunder in a brilliant equaliser. In the end, a cruel deflection off Diney Borges from a Cristian Romero header sent Argentina through.
Former England right-back Gary Neville told ITV it was among the greatest underdog performances he had ever witnessed.
He noted the tears as players faced going home — a place they didn’t want to leave after a magical run some may never experience again — both uplifting and heartbreaking.