Just hours before Cape Verde makes its historic debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s ambassador to Senegal, Hermínio da Costa Moniz, expressed immense confidence in the Blue Sharks’ ability to cause an upset, stating they could “pull off a surprise” despite a challenging group.
In an exclusive interview with APA in Dakar, the Cape Verdean diplomat described the team’s qualification as the true culmination of decades of steady progress across political, economic, social, and sporting fields. He emphasized that the team will approach the tournament with their defining humility, while doing their absolute best to represent Cape Verde and the African continent with the utmost dignity.
For their first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals, Cape Verde is set to begin their campaign on Monday, June 15, against Spain, the 2010 world champions. Coach Bubista’s side has been placed in a formidable Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, a historic two-time world champion. Despite the high caliber of their opponents, the ambassador remains distinctly optimistic about his country’s chances, noting that while they respect all their opponents, they also recognize that they are a formidable team capable of creating a surprise. He stressed that Cape Verde’s core strength lies in collective organization rather than individual talent, explaining that the national team does not depend on a single player but is driven by collective spirit, discipline, and organization.
Hermínio da Costa Moniz also highlighted the profound significance of this qualification for Cape Verdean youth and the diaspora, which happens to be strongly represented within the current national squad. He proudly noted that several players were born abroad yet chose to represent the colors of their ancestors, calling the decision a tremendous source of pride for the entire nation. When asked about Africa’s overall prospects at the tournament—which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the diplomat struck an optimistic tone, pointing out that Morocco has already shown the way by reaching the semi-finals in the past, making it entirely possible to imagine an African team reaching the final this time around.
Beyond the pitch, the ambassador noted that major sporting events could help further strengthen the ties between Senegal and Cape Verde, pointing to their long-standing historical relations and future opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the economic, tourism, and cultural sectors. He concluded the interview with a light-hearted, bold prediction for Cape Verde’s high-stakes opening match against Spain, forecasting a 1–0 victory for Cape Verde with a smile.
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