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Cabo Verde Football Tickets | All Matches & Competitions
Whether you're looking to witness Cabo Verde's historic World Cup debut in 2026, see them in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, or catch the Blue Sharks in an international friendly, we have tickets available for every Cabo Verde match. Browse the upcoming fixtures below and book your Cabo Verde football tickets securely online.
Upcoming Cabo Verde Fixtures
World Cup 2026 — A Historic Debut
Cabo Verde have been drawn in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup. It is a daunting draw for the tournament debutants, but the Blue Sharks have already proven they can compete against the odds. Their qualification campaign saw them top CAF Group D with seven wins and just one defeat from ten matches, finishing four points clear of Cameroon. The group-stage matches will take the Blue Sharks across the southeastern United States, with games in Atlanta, Miami and Houston.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 15 June 2026 | Spain vs Cabo Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 21 June 2026 | Uruguay vs Cabo Verde | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 26 June 2026 | Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia | NRG Stadium, Houston |
Looking for the full World Cup experience? Visit our dedicated Cabo Verde World Cup 2026 tickets page for complete details on the Blue Sharks' historic debut, host city guides, fan zones and all available World Cup tickets.
Africa Cup of Nations
Cabo Verde have established themselves as a genuine force in African football, qualifying for four of the last five AFCON tournaments. Their best results came at AFCON 2013 and AFCON 2023, where they reached the quarter-finals on both occasions. Though they missed out on AFCON 2025, the Blue Sharks will be determined to return to the continental stage.
International Friendlies
Cabo Verde regularly schedule friendlies to prepare for major tournaments. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the Blue Sharks are expected to play warm-up matches against strong opponents to build towards their historic debut in North America.
About the Cabo Verde National Team
| Official Name | Cabo Verde National Football Team |
| Nickname | Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) / Crioulos (Creoles) |
| Manager | Pedro "Bubista" Brito |
| Captain | Ryan Mendes |
| Home Stadium | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia (capacity 15,000) |
| Federation | Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF), founded 1982 |
| Joined CAF/World Rankings | Joined CAF 1982 / World football membership 1986 |
| Kit Colours | Blue and white (home), White (away) |
| Major Honours | AFCON quarter-finalists (2013, 2023) |
Cabo Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and played their first international just three years later, a 1-0 defeat to Guinea in 1978. The Cape Verdean Football Federation was formed in 1982 and the country joined both CAF and the world football governing body by 1986. For decades, the islands — with a total land area of just 4,033 km² — were considered too small to compete at the highest level. But a diaspora-driven recruitment strategy that taps into the vast Cape Verdean communities across Europe, the Americas and beyond has transformed the national team into a genuine force.
The Blue Sharks' rise has been remarkable. First qualifying for AFCON in 2013, they stunned hosts South Africa in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals. Further AFCON appearances followed in 2015, 2021 and 2023, with another quarter-final run in 2023. Under Bubista, the team has combined defensive resilience with quick counter-attacking football, built around a squad of players competing across 14 different countries — from Portugal and France to Turkey, Israel and the Middle East. The 2026 World Cup qualification represents the crowning achievement of Cape Verdean football.
Key Cabo Verde Players
Ryan Mendes — The Legend
Cabo Verde's all-time leading scorer (22+ goals) and most capped player (70+ appearances), Ryan Mendes is the heart and soul of the Blue Sharks. The 35-year-old captain has enjoyed a career spanning Le Havre, Lille, Nottingham Forest and spells in the Middle East. At 36 by the time the World Cup kicks off, this will almost certainly be his only — and most glorious — chance to lead his nation on football's biggest stage.
Logan Costa — The Jewel
At just 24, Villarreal centre-back Logan Costa is Cabo Verde's most valuable player and their only representative in Europe's top five leagues. Standing 190cm tall, Costa's aerial dominance, composure on the ball and tactical intelligence make him the defensive cornerstone of the Blue Sharks and a player who could attract wider attention at the World Cup.
Vozinha — The Wall
The long-serving goalkeeper has been a pillar of Cabo Verde's defence across multiple AFCON campaigns and the entire World Cup qualifying run. His shot-stopping ability and experience provide a steady foundation for the Blue Sharks' defensive resilience — a key feature of Bubista's tactical approach.
Dailon Livramento — The Rising Star
The young striker was Cabo Verde's top scorer in World Cup qualifying with four goals, including the crucial opener in the historic 3-0 win over Eswatini that sealed qualification. Livramento represents the exciting next wave of Cape Verdean talent and will be eager to make his mark on the global stage.
Roberto "Pico" Lopes — The Incredible Story
Born in Ireland to a Cape Verdean father, Roberto Lopes was famously discovered and contacted via LinkedIn before making his international debut in 2019. The Shamrock Rovers defender has since become a regular in the squad and embodies the diaspora-driven spirit that makes Cape Verdean football so unique. His journey from League of Ireland to a World Cup is one of football's great stories.
Cabo Verde's Tournament History
Though Cabo Verde's tournament history is short, it has been packed with memorable moments that have captured the imagination of the football world.
| Tournament | Appearances | Best Result | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup | 0 (1st in 2026) | Debut in 2026 | Smallest nation by land area ever to qualify for a World Cup; 3-0 win over Eswatini sealed historic place |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 4 (2013, 2015, 2021, 2023) | Quarter-finals (2013, 2023) | Stunned hosts South Africa on penalties at AFCON 2013; beat Ghana 2-1 at AFCON 2023 |
Cabo Verde's Key Statistics
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| World Cup appearances | 0 — 1st appearance in 2026 (debut) |
| AFCON appearances | 4 (2013, 2015, 2021, 2023) |
| Best AFCON result | Quarter-finals (2013, 2023) |
| All-time top scorer | Ryan Mendes (22+ goals) |
| Most capped player | Ryan Mendes (70+ caps) |
| Population | ~525,000 — second-smallest nation at a World Cup (after Iceland) |
| WC qualifying record | Won CAF Group D: 7 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, GD +8 — finished 4 points above Cameroon |
Cabo Verde's football journey is one of the sport's most inspirational stories. An archipelago of ten volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa, with a population smaller than many European cities, competing at football's greatest tournament. The diaspora — Cape Verdeans living abroad actually outnumber the island population — has been the secret weapon, providing a steady stream of players from leagues across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Under Bubista, the Blue Sharks have turned these diverse threads into a cohesive, competitive team that has earned the right to stand among the world's best. For the full breakdown, visit our Cabo Verde World Cup 2026 tickets page.
How to Buy Cabo Verde Football Tickets
Looking for Cabo Verde football tickets? The Blue Sharks' historic World Cup debut is generating huge excitement, and with just 525,000 people on the islands, the global Cape Verdean diaspora is expected to travel in force to support their team in North America. We've sourced Cabo Verde tickets to make the process simple and secure:
- Select the Cabo Verde match you want to attend from the fixture list above and click 'View Tickets'.
- Select the section where you'd like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
- Select the number of tickets you'd like to buy.
- Click the green 'Buy' button.
- Fill in the order form with your personal details.
- Check that all your information has been entered correctly.
- Click 'Make Payment'.
- The tickets are now yours!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabo Verde Tickets
Is this Cabo Verde's first World Cup?
Yes — the 2026 World Cup will be Cabo Verde's first ever appearance at the tournament. With a population of approximately 525,000 people, the Blue Sharks are the smallest nation by land area ever to qualify for a World Cup.
Has Cabo Verde qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, Cabo Verde qualified by winning CAF Group D in October 2025, finishing four points ahead of Cameroon. They sealed qualification with a 3-0 home victory over Eswatini. They are in Group H alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Who is Cabo Verde's manager?
Pedro "Bubista" Brito has been in charge since 2020. A former Cape Verdean international who earned 21 caps as a centre-back, Bubista previously served as assistant coach on two occasions before taking the top job. He guided the team to AFCON quarter-finals in 2023 and historic World Cup qualification in 2025.