Cape Verde unveils 26 Blue Sharks for World Cup

Cape Verde, on Monday released its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup which will be held
from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Making its debut at the World Cup, Cabo Verde, coached by Pedro Brito, nicknamed Bubista, will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

Goalkeeper Vozinha, who plays for Chaves in Portugal, is among the key players in the squad, along with CJ dos Santos (San Diego, USA) and Márcio Rosa (Montana, Bulgaria).

In defense, the coach has called up Logan Costa of Villarreal in Spain, Roberto Lopes of Shamrock Rovers in Ireland, and Steven Moreira of the Columbus Crew in the United States.

The defensive sector also includes Wagner Pina from Trabzonspor in Turkey, João Paulo from FCSB in Romania, Sidny Cabral from Benfica in Portugal, Kelvin Pires from SJK in Finland and Stopira from Torreense in Portugal.

In midfield, Bubista is banking on Jamiro Monteiro from PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands, Kevin Pina from FK Krasnodar in Russia, Deroy Duarte from Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria and Telmo Arcanjo from Vitoria Guimarães in Portugal.

In attack, captain Ryan Mendes, who plays for Iğdır FK in Turkey, will lead the offensive with Garry Rodrigues from Apollon Limassol in Cyprus, Jovane Cabral from Estrela Amadora in Portugal and Nuno da Costa from Istanbul Başakşehir in Turkey.

The squad also includes Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia, Portugal), Willy Semedo (Omonia, Cyprus), Gilson Benchimol (Akron Togliatti, Russia), and Hélio Varela of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.

According to FIFA, Cape Verde will begin its World Cup campaign on June 15 against Spain in Atlanta, before facing Uruguay in Miami on June 21, and then Saudi Arabia in Houston on June 26.

Ten African nations will participate in this year’s tournament namely Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, DR Congo, and the Cape Verde Islands.

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