Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup Journey Chronicled in New Book
The meteoric rise of the Cape Verdean national football team, from their humble beginnings with rag balls to their historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, has been chronicled in a new book released just weeks before the tournament kicks off.
Charting the Rise of the Blue Sharks
Written by journalist and writer José Mário Correia under the pseudonym Santa Clara, “Blue Sharks – In the Olympus of Football Gods, the Saga Continues” serves as a comprehensive record of the nation’s sporting evolution. This third publication by Correia marks a pivotal moment for the archipelago as the team prepares for its debut on the world’s biggest stage.
“This book is the practical translation of what has been Cape Verde’s football history,” Correia told Lusa. The narrative spans decades, beginning with the team’s foundation and their first major international milestone: a 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in 1978 to secure their first trophy.
From Regional Struggles to Global Stages
The book details the “Blue Sharks'” persistent climb through regional and continental competitions, including the Amílcar Cabral Cup and their breakthrough performances in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Correia highlights the transformative 2013 AFCON campaign in South Africa—the nation’s first appearance—and the thrilling 2023 run in Ivory Coast, where the team reached the quarter-finals before a narrow exit against South Africa.
Central to the book is the team’s grueling road to the FIFA World Cup. After seven qualifying attempts beginning in 2002, Cape Verde finally punched their ticket to the 2026 tournament in October 2025.
A Legacy Beyond the Pitch
For Correia, the story of the Blue Sharks is one of overcoming systemic disadvantages. He noted that “smallness, humility, and poverty” did not prevent the nation from “touching the sky.” By meticulously collecting news clippings and testimonies over the years, the author aims to preserve this heritage for future generations.
Looking ahead to the upcoming tournament, the author expressed confidence that Cape Verde will be more than just a participant. “We are not going to the World Cup just to show up; we are going to compete eye to eye,” Correia said, adding that he believes the country has the talent to become a mainstay in international football.
José Mário Correia is a veteran chronicler of the national team, having previously published “On the Routes of the Blue Sharks – 40 Years of National Team History” (2015) and “From Rag Balls to the First Trophy – The Heroes of 1978” (2021). His latest work is currently available at major bookstores in the capital city of Praia.
Image: Pexels – Chris wade NTEZICIMPA
