Cape Verde World Cup Debut: Marco Soares’ Warning
The eyes of the world are turning toward Cape Verde as the island nation prepares for its historic debut at the 2026 World Cup. But for former captain Marco Soares, this milestone is not a finish line—it is a call to action.
The 41-year-old former midfielder, who earned 53 caps for the “Blue Sharks” between 2006 and 2021, warns that the national team cannot afford to become complacent. Instead, he believes the tournament’s massive visibility must be leveraged to transform the country’s footballing infrastructure.
Capitalizing on the Global Spotlight
“The youth academies need to provide better conditions so that players are better prepared,” Soares told Lusa. “There are now many more eyebrows raised in Europe, with scouts looking at Cape Verde in search of talent. If such a tiny country can reach a World Cup, people realize something special is happening there.”
Cape Verde enters the history books as the 14th African nation—and only the fourth Portuguese-speaking country—to compete on football’s biggest stage. Facing a daunting Group H against former champions Spain and Uruguay, as well as Saudi Arabia, Soares says the goal must be long-term growth rather than just a single summer of glory.
“The challenge is to always want more,” he explained. “There are many children who now see a future in the national team. Our dilemma is ensuring they continue to believe that reaching a World Cup is possible for them, too. That requires giving young people the best possible conditions.”
Small Nation, Big Ambition
Cape Verde is the third-smallest country by population ever to qualify for the tournament, trailing only Iceland and fellow 2026 debutant Curaçao. To maintain momentum, the “Blue Sharks” have increasingly tapped into their vast diaspora—scouting talent in Portugal, France, and the Netherlands to bolster their ranks.
Soares notes that this strategy has paid off, creating a deeper and more competitive roster than ever before. “During my years, we lost many athletes with Cape Verdean roots because we didn’t have the stature of other national teams,” Soares admitted. “Now, the spirit in the selection is about heart and love for the country. That opens doors, but it must benefit the collective, not just the individual.”
A Bright Future in Good Hands
Looking at the current squad, Soares pointed to rising stars like Benfica’s Sidny Lopes Cabral as a testament to the country’s progress. “He had brutal growth in three years and is now going to play in the World Cup. More quality athletes like him are appearing, and that is half the battle. Cape Verde is in good hands.”
As the “Blue Sharks” prepare to travel to the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the expanded 48-team tournament, Soares reflects on how far the team has come since its Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2013.
“The big difference now is our depth,” Soares concluded. “We can swap three forwards and maintain or even increase the quality. This is the result of our growth abroad and our dedication at home. We must extract the maximum from this showcase.”
Image: Pexels – Omar Ramadan
