World Cup 2026: Cape Verde coach Pedro Popesta vows to compete in tough Group at tournament

Cape Verde head coach Pedro Popesta has described his outfit maiden World Cup qualification as a dream come true, while promising to compete in a tough group at the tournament in North America.

The Blue Sharks are preparing for their first-ever appearance at a World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The historic qualification marks a major milestone in the nation’s football journey, as they prepare to compete on the global stage for the first time.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with FilGoal.com, Popesta expressed pride in his squad’s achievement but admitted that the road ahead will be anything but easy.

“We are living a wonderful dream by being in the World Cup for the first time,” said Cape Verde coach Pedro Popesta.

However, the coach was quick to temper expectations, pointing out the strength of their group opponents and the level of competition they will face.

“In the World Cup, we must always play against big teams. Our group is very difficult. We have Spain and Uruguay, who are among the strongest teams in the world, and Saudi Arabia is also a strong side,” he explained.

Cape Verde have been drawn in Group H alongside football powerhouses Spain and Uruguay, as well as Saudi Arabia. Despite the daunting challenge, Popesta insisted that his team will approach the tournament with determination and belief.

“We will try to perform well and achieve the best we can,” he added.

Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey will begin on June 15 with a blockbuster opening fixture against Spain, one of the tournament favourites. The match will mark the nation’s debut on football’s biggest stage and is expected to be a major test for the debutants.

Their second group match will see them face Uruguay on June 22, another high-intensity encounter against a team with a strong World Cup pedigree. The group stage will conclude on June 27 with a clash against Saudi Arabia, a fixture that could prove crucial in determining their final standing.

Despite being considered underdogs in a challenging group, Cape Verde will be aiming to use their discipline, organisation and team spirit to compete strongly against more experienced opposition.

For Popesta and his players, simply reaching the World Cup represents a historic achievement. However, the coach remains focused on ensuring that Cape Verde not only participate but also leave a positive impression on their debut appearance at the global tournament.