Cape Verde reach their first World Cup: an island of 525,000 on the biggest stage

Cape Verde qualified for a first World Cup at the eighth attempt. With around 525,000 people, the Blue Sharks are the second-smallest nation ever to reach the finals. Coach Bubista, named CAF's best, brings a home-grown squad to Group H.

Cape Verde are going to the World Cup for the first time. The Blue Sharks sealed their place at the eighth attempt, topping their qualifying group ahead of Cameroon. For a chain of islands off the coast of West Africa, it is the country's greatest sporting moment, as Al Jazeera set out.

The numbers make it remarkable. Cape Verde has around 525,000 people, which makes them the second least-populous nation ever to reach a World Cup, behind only Iceland in 2018. Curaçao, also debuting in 2026, is smaller still.

The team is built at home. Coach Pedro Brito, known as Bubista, was named the 2025 CAF Men's Coach of the Year for guiding the side to qualification. His squad leans on home-based and lower-league players, with Villarreal's Logan Costa the only man playing in one of Europe's top five leagues. Bubista has taken Cape Verde to three major tournaments since 2020, ESPN notes.

They are not strangers to the big stage. Cape Verde reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023, so the step up is large but not a leap into the unknown.

In Group H they meet Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. In Kenyan time, Cape Verde open against Spain on 15 June at 19:00 EAT in Atlanta, face Uruguay on 22 June at 01:00 EAT in Miami, and close against Saudi Arabia on 27 June at 03:00 EAT in Houston.

For African fans, Cape Verde carry a story the whole continent can enjoy: a small nation, a home-grown team, and a first World Cup earned the hard way. Spain start Group H as favourites. Cape Verde have already won something by arriving.