Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Player Roster
The Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026 has already made history. On their tournament debut, Bubista’s Blue Sharks drew all three Group H matches and reached the Round of 32, becoming the smallest nation ever to reach a FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
Next comes a blockbuster meeting with reigning champions Argentina on July 3 in Miami. Below is the full 26-player roster, every result so far, the schedule, and the players fuelling this run.
Your complete guide to Cape Verde’s 26-man roster, group results, schedule, and Round of 32 clash with Argentina.
Cape Verde World Cup 2026 Schedule and Results
| Date | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result / Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jun 15 | Group H | Spain | Atlanta | Draw 0-0 |
| Sun, Jun 21 | Group H | Uruguay | Miami | Draw 2-2 |
| Fri, Jun 26 | Group H | Saudi Arabia | Houston | Draw 0-0 |
| Fri, Jul 3 | Round of 32 | Argentina | Miami | 5:00 PM |
Cape Verde drew all three Group H games to finish runners-up on 3 points, behind winners Spain. Goalkeeper Vozinha starred in a goalless draw with European champions Spain, then Kevin Pina and Hélio Varela scored in a 2-2 comeback against Uruguay before a disciplined 0-0 with Saudi Arabia confirmed a knockout place.
Cape Verde are the first World Cup debutant to reach the knockout round since Slovakia in 2010, and the first side since Chile in 1998 to advance by drawing all three group games.
Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Player Roster
Bubista named his 26-man squad on May 18, 2026, with Ryan Mendes as captain and Vozinha as vice-captain. The roster leans heavily on Cape Verde’s large European diaspora.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Vozinha (VC) | Chaves |
| GK | Márcio Rosa | Montana |
| GK | CJ dos Santos | San Diego FC |
| DF | Steven Moreira | Columbus Crew |
| DF | Wagner Pina | Trabzonspor |
| DF | João Paulo | FCSB |
| DF | Sidny Lopes Cabral | Benfica |
| DF | Logan Costa | Villarreal |
| DF | Pico (Roberto Lopes) | Shamrock Rovers |
| DF | Kelvin Pires | SJK Seinäjoki |
| DF | Stopira | Torreense |
| DF | Diney | Al Bataeh |
| MF | Jamiro Monteiro | PEC Zwolle |
| MF | Telmo Arcanjo | Vitória SC |
| MF | Yannick Semedo | Farense |
| MF | Laros Duarte | Puskás Akadémia |
| MF | Deroy Duarte | Ludogorets Razgrad |
| MF | Kevin Pina | Krasnodar |
| FW | Ryan Mendes (C) | Iğdır FK |
| FW | Willy Semedo | Omonia Nicosia |
| FW | Garry Rodrigues | Apollon Limassol |
| FW | Jovane Cabral | Estrela da Amadora |
| FW | Nuno da Costa | İstanbul Başakşehir |
| FW | Dailon Livramento | Casa Pia |
| FW | Gilson Benchimol | Akron Toyatti |
| FW | Hélio Varela | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
(C) = captain, (VC) = vice-captain. For all 48 team announcement dates, see our World Cup 2026 squads tracker.
Key Players in the Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026
- Vozinha (Chaves). The 39-year-old vice-captain produced a standout display to shut out Spain, holding firm through a 27-shot barrage. He has become the face of Cape Verde’s defensive resilience.
- Ryan Mendes (Iğdır FK). Captain and all-time leader in caps (94) and goals (22). His leadership anchors the side at his first World Cup.
- Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia). The 24-year-old striker who fired Cape Verde through qualifying remains the main attacking reference.
- Kevin Pina (Krasnodar). Scored a superb free-kick against Uruguay and supplies creativity and set-piece quality.
- Hélio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv). Came off the bench to grab the equaliser against Uruguay.
- Logan Costa (Villarreal). The Paris-born centre-back, rated Cape Verde’s best defender, recovered from an ACL injury in time to make the squad.
Cape Verde vs Argentina: Round of 32
Cape Verde face reigning world champions Argentina in the Round of 32 on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, kickoff 5:00 PM ET. Lionel Messi’s Argentina start as heavy favourites, but Vozinha’s form and Cape Verde’s compact defending make the Blue Sharks a stubborn underdog. Win or lose, reaching the last 32 is already the greatest achievement in the nation’s football history.
How Cape Verde Qualified for World Cup 2026
Cape Verde won CAF qualifying Group D ahead of Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Mauritius, and Eswatini, with only the group winner qualifying directly. After a slow start and a 4-1 loss in Yaoundé, a four-match winning run flipped the group. Dailon Livramento’s goal beat Cameroon 1-0 on September 9, 2025, and a 3-0 win over Eswatini on October 13, 2025, sealed qualification after seven failed attempts.
Head Coach: Bubista
Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, is a former Cape Verde international who has managed the national team since 2020. His approach is built on continuity and trust, blending veterans like Mendes, Vozinha, and Stopira with young diaspora talent such as Livramento and Logan Costa.
Group H Final Standings
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | Advanced (winners) |
| Cape Verde | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Advanced (runners-up) |
| Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Eliminated |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Eliminated |
Spain topped the group, while former world champions Uruguay and bottom side Saudi Arabia both went out. Cape Verde’s three draws were enough to slip through in second.
FAQ About Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026
How did Cape Verde perform at the 2026 World Cup group stage?
Cape Verde drew all three Group H matches: 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay, and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. Three draws gave them 3 points and second place, sending the Blue Sharks into the Round of 32 on their World Cup debut.
Who does Cape Verde play in the Round of 32?
Cape Verde face reigning champions Argentina in the Round of 32 on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with kickoff at 5:00 PM ET.
Is this Cape Verde’s first World Cup?
Yes. The 2026 tournament is Cape Verde’s first ever World Cup. They are also the first debutant to reach the knockout stage since Slovakia in 2010, and the smallest nation ever to do so.
Who is Cape Verde’s captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Ryan Mendes captains Cape Verde. The Iğdır FK forward is the country’s all-time leader in caps (94) and goals (22). Goalkeeper Vozinha is vice-captain.
Who is Cape Verde’s head coach for the 2026 World Cup?
Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, a former Cape Verde international who has led the national team since 2020.
Why is Cape Verde’s World Cup run historic?
With a population of around 525,000, Cape Verde is the smallest nation ever to reach a FIFA World Cup knockout round, achieved on their tournament debut by drawing all three group games.
How did Cape Verde qualify for World Cup 2026?
Cape Verde won CAF qualifying Group D ahead of Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Mauritius, and Eswatini. A 1-0 win over Cameroon and a 3-0 win over Eswatini in autumn 2025 sealed qualification after seven failed attempts.
Who starred for Cape Verde in the group stage?
Goalkeeper Vozinha was outstanding in the 0-0 draw with Spain, while Kevin Pina and Hélio Varela scored in the 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
Is Logan Costa fit for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. The Villarreal centre-back recovered from a pre-season ACL injury and returned to action in May 2026 in time to make Bubista’s final 26.
Cape Verde’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
The Cape Verde World Cup Squad 2026 has already delivered one of the great underdog stories in tournament history: a nation of around 525,000 people reaching the knockout stage on debut.
Facing Argentina in the Round of 32, Bubista’s side will again lean on Vozinha’s goalkeeping, Ryan Mendes’ leadership, and quick transitions through Livramento and Kevin Pina.
Whatever happens in Miami, the Blue Sharks have turned a first World Cup into a fairytale.
