Cape Verde face Serbia in key World Cup warm-up match in Lisbon

Cape Verde continue their build-up to a historic first FIFA World Cup appearance when they take on Serbia in an international friendly at Lisbon’s Estádio do Restelo on Saturday.

The match represents a significant stage in the Blue Sharks’ preparations ahead of the global tournament, offering coach Bubista and his players another opportunity to assess their readiness before the competition begins.

It will also mark the first meeting between Cape Verde and Serbia, adding extra intrigue to a fixture that could provide valuable lessons for both sides.

Although Serbia did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the European nation remains a respected opponent. Ranked 39th in the FIFA rankings released in March 2026, Serbia are expected to provide a stern challenge for the Cape Verdeans as they continue fine-tuning their preparations.

For Cape Verde, every match now carries added importance as the country prepares to make history on football’s biggest stage.

The Blue Sharks began their World Cup preparations earlier this year during the FIFA Series in March. Their campaign opened with a 4-2 defeat against Chile before they responded with a 1-1 draw against Finland. Cape Verde later prevailed 4-2 in the penalty shootout following that encounter.

Those matches offered the coaching staff an early indication of the areas requiring improvement before the start of the World Cup.

The real test, however, arrives in mid-June.

Cape Verde’s tournament campaign begins on June 15 with a challenging opening fixture against Spain. The European giants are widely regarded as favourites not only to top Group H but also to challenge strongly for the World Cup title.

As a result, the encounter with Serbia is viewed as an important opportunity for Bubista’s side to sharpen their performance levels before facing elite opposition.

Kick-off at the Estádio do Restelo is scheduled for 3:00 PM GMT.

Supporters around the world will be able to follow the match through various broadcasters. Canal+ Sport Africa will carry coverage across French-speaking Africa, while beIN Sports MENA will show the game in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Viewers in France can watch on Canal+, while DAZN will broadcast the match in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

With the World Cup now just around the corner, Cape Verde’s clash with Serbia offers the Blue Sharks a valuable chance to measure themselves against experienced European opposition before embarking on the biggest challenge in the nation’s football history.