The 26 Blue Sharks of World Cup 2026
Named on May 18, 2026, with Ryan Mendes as captain and Vozinha as vice-captain, Cabo Verde's first-ever World Cup squad drew heavily on the nation's large European diaspora.
Goalkeepers 3
1Vozinha VC
GK / Chaves (Portugal)
The 40-year-old veteran made 7 saves to shut out Spain in the opener and win Man of the Match. A late bloomer who turned pro at 25, he became one of the faces of the tournament.
12Márcio Rosa
GK / Montana (Bulgaria)
23CJ dos Santos
GK / San Diego FC (USA)
Defenders 9
2Stopira
DF / Torreense (Portugal)
A long-serving veteran of the national team.
3Diney Borges
DF / Al Bataeh (UAE)
4Pico (Roberto Lopes)
DF / Shamrock Rovers (Ireland)
Nearly won the Spain match with a late header; a pillar of the defense.
5Logan Costa
DF / Villarreal (Spain)
The Paris-born centre-back, rated the team's finest defender, recovered from an ACL injury just in time to make the squad.
8João Paulo
DF / FCSB (Romania)
13Sidny Lopes Cabral
DF / Benfica (Portugal)
Scored the dramatic 103rd-minute equalizer against Argentina — hailed as perhaps the greatest goal in Cabo Verdean football history.
22Steven Moreira
DF / Columbus Crew (USA)
24Wagner Pina
DF / Trabzonspor (Türkiye)
25Kelvin Pires
DF / SJK Seinäjoki (Finland)
Midfielders 6
6Kevin Pina
MF / Krasnodar (Russia)
His 30-yard free kick against Uruguay was Cabo Verde's first-ever World Cup goal. A set-piece specialist.
10Jamiro Monteiro
MF / PEC Zwolle (Netherlands)
14Deroy Duarte
MF / Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria)
Equalized in the 59th minute against Argentina, sparking the fightback against the champions.
15Laros Duarte
MF / Puskás Akadémia (Hungary)
16Yannick Semedo
MF / Farense (Portugal)
Assisted Cabral's equalizer against Argentina.
18Telmo Arcanjo
MF / Vitória SC (Portugal)
Forwards 8
7Jovane Cabral
FW / Estrela da Amadora (Portugal)
9Gilson Benchimol
FW / Akron Tolyatti (Russia)
11Garry Rodrigues
FW / Apollon Limassol (Cyprus)
An experienced winger with pace and flair.
17Willy Semedo
FW / Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus)
19Dailon Livramento
FW / Casa Pia (Portugal)
The 24-year-old striker whose goals — including the winner over Cameroon — powered the qualifying run.
20Ryan Mendes C
FW / Iğdır FK (Türkiye)
Captain and the nation's all-time leader in caps and goals. Also assisted the equalizer against Uruguay.
21Nuno da Costa
FW / İstanbul Başakşehir (Türkiye)
26Hélio Varela
FW / Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)
Came off the bench to equalize against Uruguay in the 61st minute — a clutch super-sub.
Head Coach: Bubista (Pedro Leitão Brito)
A former Cabo Verde international who has led the national team since 2020. His philosophy of continuity and trust — blending veterans like Mendes, Vozinha, and Stopira with young diaspora talent such as Livramento and Logan Costa — finally broke through in the nation's seventh qualifying campaign, delivering a first World Cup and a historic run to the knockout stage.