In each World Cup, there’s an underdog.
It is at all times a memorable storyline, however in 2026, Cape Verde stole the present.
The island nation off the west coast of Africa has a inhabitants of about half 1,000,000 and was ranked 67th on this planet. It’s the second-smallest nation by land space ever to qualify for soccer’s greatest occasion.
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“Earlier than the ball was kicked, we got 1% likelihood and to indicate that it was potential what 1% can do in a gaggle the place you might have Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia,” Cape Verde middle again Pico Lopes just lately advised CNN Sports activities. “It was simply that kind of feeling of ‘We belong right here,’ like we should be right here.”
The soccer minnows have been instantly confronted with the large job of dealing with world No. 2 Spain of their opener. Nonetheless, the Blue Sharks shocked everybody after holding the longer term champion to a 0-0 draw.
Cape Verde went on to complete second within the group and face Argentina within the Spherical of 32. The consequence was what many known as the sport of the event.
The competition was a cat-and-mouse affair that ended with the Albiceleste taking the win with a aim within the 111th minute.
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Lopes was a core member of that Cape Verde squad and says that the important thing to that close to success in opposition to Lionel Messi and Co. was simply forgetting about all of the noise and taking part in ball.
“We kind of took the event out of the sport and did not fear about who we have been taking part in,” Lopes mentioned. “We simply had a aim in thoughts and we got here shut. Sadly, it wasn’t sufficient, however we expect we had them frightened for a bit bit.”
Cape Verde’s Pico Lopes celebrates after the match in opposition to Spain at Atlanta Stadium, on June 15 – Brett Davis/Imagn Photos/Reuters
From LinkedIn to the World Cup
Lopes is Irish-born and had no plans of starting his worldwide profession at 24. His story went viral in the course of the Cape Verde craze on the World Cup, when his story of how he got here to the globe’s consideration was revealed.
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He was recruited to the nationwide staff by coach Rui Águas on LinkedIn after noticing the membership participant was eligible due to his father’s Cape Verdean heritage. The message was initially despatched in Portuguese and disregarded by Lopes, as he doesn’t communicate the language. Fairly a little bit of time later, Águas adopted up in English, which fortunately obtained Lopes’ consideration.
“I used to be writing in Portuguese as a result of I used to be sure a person known as Roberto Lopes would communicate Portuguese, however (that) was not the case,” Águas advised CNN Sports activities whereas laughing in the course of the event.
“He did not reply the primary message, however after a yr I returned, and I advised him the season is starting once more and requested him if he wished to come back. After six days, no reply. I wrote, ‘Neglect it,’ and some hours later, he answered lastly.
“It was a great struggle as a result of, over time, he has turn out to be possibly an important participant, an excellent particular person, an excellent participant.”
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Reflecting on the odd circumstance of his recruitment, Lopes advised CNN: “By no means did I feel organising that profile would lead me to worldwide soccer, nevertheless it simply goes to indicate you, you permit no stone unturned, and also you proceed to work onerous day-after-day and imagine and dream, something is feasible.”
Lopes was recruited to Cape Verde’s nationwide staff by means of LinkedIn. – Stew Milne/AP
Making Africa proud
The Blue Sharks topped Group D within the Confederation of African Soccer’s qualifiers for a spot of their first World Cup, ending above five-time Africa Cup of Nations champion Cameroon.
“They do not hand out golden tickets to get you to the World Cup,” Lopes mentioned. “You need to qualify and also you’re there on benefit. And I suppose, when you’re there, you do not wish to present they go you by. You wish to participate. You wish to be aggressive.”
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In concept, La Roja ought to have hammered Cape Verde – however that is not what occurred.
Due to a world-class efficiency from a 40-year-old goalkeeper and a rock-solid Cape Verde protection, the African nation emerged overjoyed regardless of a draw.
“Spain was an outstanding staff, and I feel in the event that they play like the best way they did in opposition to us 9 out of 10 instances, they win the sport, so that you do want that little bit of luck, and I assumed we defended properly,” Lopes mentioned.
“As a staff, you want your goalkeeper to have most likely the perfect recreation of his life and Vozinha did that. All the pieces appeared to go our method on that recreation.”
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The staff turned a direct phenomenon, particularly keeper Vozinha, who completed with seven saves on the day. He went from round 50,000 followers to virtually 30 million by the tip of the event.
“He is virtually like that father determine,” Lopes mentioned. “Like he was good for me once I kind of joined and simply made me really feel welcome. … He deserves every part he is getting now, simply to have the ability to showcase his skillset on that stage.”
Lopes and the remainder of the nationwide staff have been hailed as heroes upon their arrival again to Cape Verde. – Sodiq Adelakun/Reuters
Cape Verde went on to attract the following two group stage matches in opposition to Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, sufficient to ship the squad to its date with Messi and the Albiceleste, a matchup that Lopes nonetheless struggles to wrap his head round.
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“You by no means suppose you are going to get to see (Messi) play stay earlier than he finishes, and earlier than you recognize it, you are taking part in in opposition to them on the pitch, so it was a dream come true,” he mentioned.
There was actual disappointment that Cape Verde did not knock Argentina out, however that feeling modified as quickly because the staff touched down again house.
“You return to Cape Verde and also you notice simply how a lot it meant for the folks simply to see the identify Cape Verde amongst the nations and the way properly we represented them, and it was simply what we would have liked,” Lopes mentioned.
Now, Lopes believes the run has completely shifted the island’s soccer future.
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“I feel everybody in Cape Verde, each little one in Cape Verde goes to have a soccer at their toes with desires of hopefully taking part in for the nationwide staff,” he mentioned.
“It gave me the chance to essentially study my heritage and my household, and I’ve loved each minute of it.”
CNN’s Kyle Tatelbaum contributed to this report.
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