Cape Verde Poised for Historic World Cup Qualification

The Cape Verde Islands stand on the brink of achieving a historic milestone by potentially qualifying for the FIFA World Cup. With a population of approximately 600,000, this island nation, located off the west coast of Africa, is just one victory away from securing a coveted spot in the tournament. They will vie for this opportunity in two crucial qualifiers within the week: an away match against Libya on March 27, 2024, followed by a home game against Eswatini on March 31, 2024. A win in either match will ensure they top Group D, surpassing the traditionally strong team from Cameroon.

Cape Verde’s footballing journey has been remarkable. Two decades ago, the islanders had barely begun to carve a niche in international football, averaging only two matches a year from 1986, when they joined FIFA, until they first entered the World Cup qualifiers in 1990, ranked a lowly 182nd in the world. Their past achievements include reaching the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 and again in the latest edition in the Ivory Coast, where they were eliminated on penalties.

Recent Progress Driven by Diaspora Talent

The turnaround for Cape Verdean football has been largely fueled by a focused effort to identify and recruit talent from the extensive Cape Verdean diaspora. Tony Araujo, a U.S.-based agent and native of the islands, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. “The football association devised new strategies around identifying and recruiting talent throughout the large Cape Verdean communities,” Araujo explained. “The talent identification and global recruitment process started to pay off huge dividends around 2013, when they qualified for their first Cup of Nations final.”

Historically, Cape Verde has faced challenges due to its limited natural resources and arid landscape, leading to significant migration. The allure of better opportunities has seen many Cape Verdeans settle in countries such as Portugal, the United States, and the Netherlands. The current squad features six players born in the Netherlands, along with others from Portugal, France, and Ireland.

One such player, Roberto “Pico” Lopes of Shamrock Rovers, shared his experience of being scouted. “I set up a LinkedIn profile when I was in college but never really looked at it,” Lopes recalled. He received a message from former coach Rui Aguas in Portuguese, which he initially dismissed as spam. After translating the message, Lopes learned that the team was interested in him declaring for Cape Verde. “I was absolutely buzzing with that! I was like, ‘yep, 100 per cent I’d love to be a part of the squad’,” he said.

Future Prospects and Aspirations

The recent success of the national team has made it easier to attract top European-based Cape Verdean talent, according to Araujo. “With new waves of recent success, a lot more European-based talents are inclined to choose Cape Verde to showcase their talents at the international level.” This shift in mindset reflects the broader ambition of Cape Verdean football.

As they prepare for the upcoming fixtures, Cape Verde faces a challenging match against Libya in Tripoli. A victory there could solidify their position for qualification, while a subsequent home game against Eswatini is seen as a favorable opportunity to secure their place in history. The excitement surrounding the team is palpable, especially following their impressive victory against Cameroon last month, which sparked celebrations across the islands. Should they secure a World Cup spot, the celebrations are expected to be even more spirited.

The Cape Verde Islands are not just aiming for a spot in the World Cup; they are on a path of growth and potential that has captured the imagination of both supporters and players alike. With their eyes set on winning one of the final two qualifiers, the team is poised to make history, marking a significant achievement in the realm of international football.