Inside Cape Verde’s dramatic rise after World Cup debutants shocked Spain

Cape Verde’s volcanic peaks rise dramatically out of the Atlantic Ocean – located some 350 miles off the western coast of mainland Africa, they can feel like one of the most isolated places on the planet.

It’s a nation almost defined by that remoteness. First settled by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, the islands served as a strategic outpost for their empire and later a key stopping point on Atlantic shipping routes before gaining independence in 1975.

These days, the 10 islands are home to wind-swept coastlines, rustic fishing villages and, more recently, tourist resorts – not footballing headlines.

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And yet the archipelago has found itself at the centre of footballing conversations after stunning the world by qualifying for the World Cup and then holding former champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match.

“There’s always that little thing in your head that says: ‘We can make this. We can do this. One day we can make it to the World Cup’,” Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro, better known as Pele, admitted when speaking to Daily Star Sport, via Boyle Sports’ World Cup odds.

It has been two decades since Pele first accepted an international call-up, making his debut against The Gambia in an AFCON qualifier.

“I remember we had to pay for our flights when we had matches,” he said. “But as soon as we got there, they reimbursed us, so there was never a problem.”

And football, at least on the international stage in Cape Verde, has changed beyond almost all recognition since then. The country’s football federation made an effort to make the most of its diaspora – with many leaving the islands in the 1960s and 1970s.

Pele was one of those recruited despite not being born in the country, while Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes, who is in the World Cup squad, was born in Ireland and famously recruited via LinkedIn.

“I think that happens with smaller countries,” Pele continued. “They have to look around because a lot of people leave Cape Verde to work and build their lives in other countries.

“There is a bigger chance for players to grow up in a different environment and then bring that experience back to Cape Verde. I think that’s one of the reasons the national team is where it is now!”

They have qualified for the past four AFCONs – but will miss out on the next edition later this year in Morocco – and have now made the jump to the festival of football.

Cape Verde qualified back in October, winning their final group game to top the table in a group that featured Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Mauritius and Eswatini.

“I remember one of the games we had at home against Cameroon. I was fortunate enough to take my wife and my in-laws to the island to watch the game.

“In a way, it showed how lucky we are in Europe and where we live because we’ve got everything. We complain about things, but most of the time we have what we need.

“In Africa, a lot of people live with very little, and they’re still happy. They still show that they’re happy. My wife always says they live with the minimum and they’re happy. ‘Why do we always need more?’”

However, Pele also joked that Cape Verdeans love to party: “We are a little bit like Brazilians – they like a party!”

And videos of the celebrations in the capital, Praia, went viral on social media after their spot at the World Cup was confirmed as football fans danced into the early hours of the morning.

Their American odyssey began in Atlanta on Monday (June 15), where they held Spain to a 0–0 draw – a result built on a disciplined defensive display and a standout performance from goalkeeper Vozinha.

The 40-year-old, however, didn’t have his family in the stands due to the cost of a US visa. His mum, Ana Candida Evora, has now confirmed at her home in Sao Vicente on the island that arrangements have now been made before flying into Miami on Saturday.

Pele joked: “When you’re a small nation playing a big team like Spain, you expect your goalkeeper will be busy. Fortunately for Cape Verde, Vozinha had a very good day and an amazing game!”

Pele wasn’t stateside for the clash, having hung up his football boots in 2020 after a spell with non-league side Totton – near Southampton, who he represented in the Premier League.

“I rushed home just to watch the game. My wife too. My wife is English, but she proudly took the shirt to work and wore it all day.

“We rushed home to watch the game and then obviously got very excited afterwards. I remember my neighbours came over and said: ‘Well done for the country!’”

However, he has found himself thrust into the limelight again, joking “it’s something that I’m not used to doing,” and he doesn’t “really like cameras and stuff.”

Another former winner awaits Cape Verde in their next group game in the form of Uruguay – and no matter the result, the country of half a million people has already delivered one of football’s most compelling underdog stories.