Cape Verde have unveiled their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with coach Pedro Brito selecting an experienced and internationally-based group for the nation’s historic tournament campaign.The Blue Sharks will fine-tune their preparations with two warm-up matches before heading to the World Cup. Cape Verde face Serbia in Lisbon on 31 May before taking on Bermuda in East Hartford on 6 June.Cape Verde have been drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.Their World Cup journey begins on 15 June in Atlanta, Georgia, against Spain, before a meeting with Uruguay in Miami on 21 June. Cape Verde will then conclude their group-stage campaign against Saudi Arabia in Houston on 26 June.The squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent, with captain Vozinha leading the goalkeeping department alongside Márcio Rosa and CJ dos Santos. In defence, Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa headlines a unit that also includes Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina and veteran defender Stopira.Midfield responsibilities will largely fall on the shoulders of Jamiro Monteiro, Kevin Pina and Telmo Arcanjo, while the attacking line includes experienced names such as Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues and Jovane Cabral, alongside younger options like Dailon Livramento and Gilson Benchimol.Cape Verde will hope their growing international experience and disciplined style can help them compete strongly in one of the tournament’s most challenging groups, with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed sides advancing to the knockout stage.
Cape Verde squad for the 2026 FIFA World CupGoalkeepers: Vozinha, Márcio Rosa, CJ dos SantosDefenders: Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina, João Paulo, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Logan Costa, Pico, Kelvin Pires, Stopira, DineyMidfielders: Jamiro Monteiro, Telmo Arcanjo, Yannick Semedo, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Kevin PinaForwards: Ryan Mendes, Willy Semedo, Garry Rodrigues, Jovane Cabral, Nuno da Costa, Dailon Livramento, Gilson Benchimol, Hélio Varela
Related World Cup coverage: Cape Verde World Cup 2026 guide | World Cup squads tracker
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Daraja Kapoor is a highly respected football journalist, editor and analyst, known for his compelling storytelling and sharp, data-driven insights into the game. He specialises in match analysis, features, emerging talent coverage and football trends across Africa.He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Cape Coast and has built a strong reputation in the media industry through his disciplined approach and deep understanding of football.Daraja received his journalistic training at leading news platform Ghanaguardian.com and has worked with some of the most prominent football websites in Ghana, including Footballmadeinghana.com and Ghanasoccernet.com. He also served as Sports Editor of Talysports.com, where he played a key role in shaping editorial direction and content strategy.He is currently the Managing Editor of African.Football, where he leads the platform’s editorial vision, overseeing content production, quality control and the delivery of authoritative African football coverage to a global audience.
