Praia, Cape Verde (April 9, 2026) — Pedro Bettencourt, president of the nation’s prestigious youth soccer coaching faculty recognized by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he has seen a shift in younger gamers for the reason that nationwide crew’s latest success. Right here, gamers put together for a coaching session.
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PRAIA—Cape Verde could also be small, however its soccer World Cup dream is large. With simply over half one million individuals, it is one of many tiniest nations ever to qualify for the event.
From the volcanic islands of the Atlantic, the crew—often known as the Blue Sharks—are chasing historical past. This summer time, they will play within the World Cup for the primary time ever—one of many smallest nations by inhabitants to make it.
The island nation off the coast of West Africa is not simply displaying up at this summer time’s World Cup—it is competing with ambition far larger than its geography suggests.
After a 3–0 win over Eswatini final yr secured their spot, the nation erupted in celebration. Streets full of cheering followers. Strangers hugged. Events went on late into the evening.
Pedro Bettencourt, president of the nation’s prestigious youth soccer coaching faculty recognized by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he is seen a change in younger gamers for the reason that nationwide crew’s success. Right here younger gamers put together for a apply.
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Ricci Shryock for NPR
That victory—and the joy it sparked—has modified the way in which Cape Verdeans see soccer—or soccer, as they name it right here. What was as soon as avenue play and schoolyard competitors now carries the load of a nationwide dream.
Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparação Integral de Futebol (EPIF), considered one of Cape Verde’s most prestigious youth soccer academies. He says qualification has reworked how younger gamers see their future.
“The expectation of our young players is very high,” he says. “With our qualification, the dreams of the young are very high.”
At a coaching session in Santa Cruz, that dream is straightforward to identify.
The regional soccer championship of Santiago South, the area that features the capital, Praia pitted the Travadores versus Boavista — two of the most important and oldest groups in Cabo Verde — as they competed for the regional title of Praia in Cape Verde.
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Yuri Marley Fernandes, 14, is a ahead at EPIF. He talks like somebody who expects to play on soccer’s largest stage.
“It’s my dream,” he says. “Football is beautiful and I can play. I can win a World Cup. I play very well. I’m a forward—very fast—and my goals are beautiful.”
Yuri Marley Fernandes introduces himself as “the best player of Cape Verde.” Fernandes is 14, a ahead at EPIF, and already talking like somebody who belongs on an even bigger stage.
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For Fernandes, the dream is private. However for Cape Verde, it stretches far past the islands.
The nation is an archipelago of 10 islands with an enormous diaspora—extra Cape Verdeans stay overseas than at residence. The nationwide crew displays that actuality, drawing gamers from throughout Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. Amongst them is defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, higher often known as Stopira, one of many crew’s standout stars.
A view of the capital, Praia, in Cape Verde.
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We visited his mom, Maria da Graça Santos—affectionately known as “Da”—at her clothes store in Praia. She was glowing as she talked about her son.
“I feel thrilled for us, Cape Verde’s football team, and I am so delighted by my son’s journey,” she mentioned. “Since he was young, he has been playing and working for this. Everyone in Cape Verde is excited that we are going to the World Cup. Now the world knows about Cape Verde, even though we are a small country.”
After our go to, she organized a cellphone name with Stopira. Talking from Portugal between coaching periods, he mirrored on what qualifying for the World Cup means for the nation—and for the followers who’ve cheered him on each step of the way in which.
Maria da Graça Santos, the mom of Cape Verde nationwide soccer crew participant, Ianique dos Santos Tavares— higher recognized by his nickname, Stopira, in entrance of a poster of her son. At considered one of her outlets within the capital, she sells Cape Verde soccer gear.
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“This means everything to us. I’m glad because I am part of this,” he mentioned. “I’ve spent my entire career with this dream…I have no words to describe it…realizing not only my dream, but the dreams of the whole country.”
A lot of Cape Verde’s progress in soccer comes from funding by the nationwide federation. Its president, Mário Semedo, says FIFA funding has helped enhance coaching services and pitches throughout the islands. He says soccer’s significance right here goes effectively past sport—creating alternative and nationwide delight.
“Football matters a lot for young people,” Semedo says. “It can help steer them away from negative influences, and in some cases even prevent juvenile crime.”
Younger males play soccer on the seashore in Praia, Cape Verde.
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The federation is predicted to earn about $10.5 million for reaching the World Cup group stage, cash officers say will assist strengthen youth growth and broaden scouting throughout the diaspora.
Cape Verde’s first check on the World Cup might hardly be more durable: on June 15 in Atlanta, they face Spain, one of many event favorites.
However again on the pitches of this tiny island, the subsequent era retains coaching—fueled by a World Cup dream that not feels not possible.
