There are two main languages spoken across the islands of Cabo Verde — Portuguese and a national creole. But even with all those words to choose from, the country is struggling to describe what it feels after the Blue Sharks made history by qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup 26™.
A 3-0 win over Eswatini sealed top spot in their qualification group and guaranteed Cabo Verde a place on football’s biggest stage. Yet, even the players were lost for words after the final whistle.
Centre-back Roberto Lopes tried his best to explain the moment. “I can’t put it into words,” he said, smiling from ear to ear on the Estadio Nacional pitch in Praia. “I feel relieved, overjoyed — all kinds of emotions. It’s unbelievable. This is what we’ve worked for, and we’ve done it. It means the world.”
His teammate Steven Moreira felt the same. “Honestly, it’s hard to take in,” he said. “I’m feeling so many things right now. It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe we’re going to the World Cup. It’s crazy.”
The celebrations at full-time were pure joy, but they followed a tense night. Cabo Verde needed a win to qualify, and when the first half ended 0-0, nerves were high. Fans held their breath — until Dailon Livramento finally broke the deadlock just after halftime.
“Once we scored, we knew we had it,” said Moreira. “We never lose at home. You could see the passion in how we celebrated — every goal felt like a family moment.”
Family is the perfect word. Many Cabo Verde players represent more than just the team — they represent their roots and their heritage.
Lopes, born in Ireland to a Cabo Verdean father, never imagined this would be his path to living out his dream. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve dreamed of playing on the biggest stage — and there’s nothing bigger than the World Cup,” he said. “What we’ve done is incredible. We’re the first Cabo Verde side to ever do this. Taking our people to the World Cup means everything.”
Cabo Verdeans are scattered across the globe — speaking different languages, living in different cultures — but right now, they’re all united by one emotion that words can’t capture.
And maybe they don’t need to. Because football, after all, is a language everyone understands.