Marco Soares: Cape Verde Can Reach 2026 World Cup KOs
Cape Verde has the quality and tactical discipline to survive the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in its tournament debut, says former national captain Marco Soares. Speaking to Lusa, the 41-year-old former midfielder highlighted the “Blue Sharks”‘ evolution from African underdogs to a side capable of competing on the world’s biggest stage.
“Personality and Quality”
“Cape Verde must present itself as it has been doing: a well-organized team with personality, unafraid to play out from the back,” said Soares, who earned 53 caps between 2006 and 2021. “While we arrive without high expectations, we have the capacity and quality to aspire to progress.”
The island nation faces a daunting task in Group H, drawn alongside European powerhouse Spain, South American giants Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. Despite the tough competition, Soares believes a knockout berth is within reach.
“Spain will be difficult as title contenders, but we can fight for second place with Uruguay,” he explained. “We could also advance as one of the best third-placed teams. When Cape Verde reached the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time, they made it past the group stage. Doing that at the World Cup would be an unprecedented feat.”
A Trial by Fire: The Debut Against Spain
Cape Verde’s journey begins on June 15 in Atlanta against 2010 world champions Spain. They follow that with a clash against two-time winners Uruguay on June 21 in Miami, before concluding the group stage against Saudi Arabia on June 26 in Houston.
“Starting against Spain will test our defensive organization to the limit,” Soares noted. “Everyone expects Spain to win, so anything we achieve is a bonus. If we play with personality and without fear, we can set the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
Historical Significance
Cape Verde is making history as the 14th African nation—and only the fourth Portuguese-speaking country—to qualify for the World Cup. They are the second-smallest participating country by land area and the third-smallest by population, behind Iceland and fellow newcomers Curaçao.
Soares pointed to the massive Cape Verdean diaspora in the United States as a potential “X-factor.” “Since it’s in the U.S., many Cape Verdeans will bring our culture and joy to the stands. It will be fantastic on every level,” he predicted.
The Road to Global Recognition
The journey to 2026 has been decades in the making. Cape Verde skyrocketed from 182nd in the FIFA rankings in 2000 to a peak of 27th in 2014. They currently sit at 67th. Soares credits head coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Brito—the 2025 CAF Coach of the Year—for fostering a “spirit of unity” and a “nothing to lose” mentality.
“The seed was planted long ago by generations who showed it was possible to compete with Africa’s best,” Soares recalled, referencing a heartbreaking near-miss for the 2014 World Cup. “Reaching this tournament was a total act of belief.”
Under Bubista’s leadership, the Blue Sharks have leaned on veterans like Ryan Mendes and Garry Rodrigues to navigate high-pressure matches. As they prepare for their June debut, Soares believes the team is ready to show the world the same grit that saw them reach the AFCON quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023.
Image: Pexels – Fabrizio Velez
