Bubista targets World Cup impact as Cape Verde prepare for historic debut

Cape Verde head coach Pedro Leitão Brito, popularly known as Bubista, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to make a lasting impression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the island nation prepares for its maiden appearance at football’s biggest tournament.

Bubista, who was named Africa’s Coach of the Year last year, believes the World Cup presents a unique opportunity for Cape Verde to showcase its footballing progress on the global stage despite being one of the tournament’s smallest nations.

Speaking ahead of the competition, the experienced tactician said his players are determined to represent their country with pride and prove they can compete against some of the world’s most established football nations.

“We want to make an impact on the tournament for our people,” Bubista told CNN. “We want to show everyone watching that, yes, we’re a small country, but we can play against the big teams. We know it’s hard but we want to show that nothing is impossible.”

The Blue Sharks have enjoyed a remarkable rise in international football over the past decade, establishing themselves as one of Africa’s most competitive emerging sides. Their qualification for the World Cup marked a historic milestone for the country and sparked celebrations across the archipelago.

Cape Verde’s journey to the tournament has been built on discipline, tactical organisation and a strong collective spirit under Bubista’s leadership. The coach has earned widespread praise for transforming the national team into a formidable outfit capable of challenging more established opponents.

The challenge awaiting Cape Verde in North America, however, will be far from straightforward.

Drawn in Group H, the debutants will face a stern test against European giants Spain, two-time world champions Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The group presents a mixture of footballing pedigree, experience and unpredictability, making qualification for the knockout stage a difficult but not impossible task.

Spain enter the competition among the favourites after consistently competing at the highest level, while Uruguay boast a rich World Cup history and a squad filled with international experience. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, have developed a reputation for causing upsets on the global stage and will also be targeting progression from the group.

Despite the daunting opposition, Bubista remains focused on ensuring his side embraces the occasion rather than being overwhelmed by it.

For Cape Verde, participation alone represents a historic achievement. Yet the team’s ambitions extend beyond merely making up the numbers. The players and coaching staff are determined to leave a lasting impression and inspire future generations of footballers from the island nation.

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, Cape Verde’s story is already one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives. Under the guidance of Bubista, the Blue Sharks will seek to demonstrate that determination, unity and belief can help bridge the gap between football’s traditional powers and emerging nations.

With their first-ever World Cup campaign on the horizon, Cape Verde will head into Group H eager to prove that, in football, dreams can become reality and that, as their coach insists, nothing is impossible.