Friendlies to test Cape Verde progress before global stage

Cape Verde national football team are facing growing scrutiny months after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as preparations continue amid a noticeable drop in visibility following their historic achievement.

The Blue Sharks stunned African football last September by defeating Cameroon national football team to reach the tournament for the first time.

The result marked a defining moment for the island nation, but attention has since shifted to whether that success represents lasting progress or a rare peak.

Their failure to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has kept them out of the continental spotlight, leaving upcoming friendlies against Chile national football team and Finland national football team as key indicators of their competitive level before the global tournament.

At the World Cup itself, the challenge will be immediate. Cape Verde have been drawn in Group H alongside Spain national football team, Uruguay national football team and Saudi Arabia national football team, placing them against experienced opponents including two former world champions.

Questions over key players

Form among leading players has become a point of concern.

Forward Dailon Rocha Livramento, who scored four decisive goals during qualification, is enduring a difficult spell with Casa Pia AC.

Across 13 appearances this season, he has not registered a goal or assist.

In defence, Diney Borges has brought a degree of stability since joining Al Bataeh Club, playing 15 matches and scoring once.

Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro continues to provide consistency at PEC Zwolle, contributing two goals and two assists in 18 games.

Experience also comes from Ryan Mendes, currently at Iğdır FK, while players including Willy Semedo, Jovane Cabral and Bebé form a cohesive squad lacking regular representation in Europe’s top five leagues.

Progress or one-off success?

Cape Verde’s qualification was built on collective discipline and organisation, yet their limited experience at elite level may become evident against stronger opposition.

The forthcoming friendlies are expected to provide early clues before the team steps onto the global stage.

The central question remains whether the qualification run marked the beginning of sustained growth or an achievement difficult to reproduce.

For the Blue Sharks, proving it was more than a single moment now becomes as important as the World Cup itself.