Cape Verde: Tiny nation, massive World Cup dream

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Cape Verde: Tiny nation, massive World Cup dream Updated May 10, 20266:00 AM ET Originally published May 10, 20266:00 AM ET By Ricci Shryock Praia, Cape Verde (April 9, 2026) — Pedro Bettencourt, president of the country's prestigious youth football training school known by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he has seen a shift in young players since the national team's recent success. Here, players prepare for a training session. Ricci Shryock for NPR hide caption toggle caption Ricci Shryock for NPR PRAIA—Cape Verde may be small, but its soccer World Cup dream is huge.

With just over half a million people, it's one of the tiniest countries ever to qualify for the tournament. From the volcanic islands of the Atlantic, the team—known as the Blue Sharks—are chasing history. This summer, they'll play in the World Cup for the first time ever—one of the smallest nations by population to make it.

The Details

The island nation off the coast of West Africa isn't just showing up at this summer's World Cup—it's competing with ambition far bigger than its geography suggests. Sponsor Message After a 3–0 win over Eswatini last year secured their spot, the country erupted in celebration. Streets filled with cheering fans.

Parties went on late into the night. Pedro Bettencourt, president of the country's prestigious youth football training school known by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he's seen a change in young players since the national team's success. Here young players prepare for a practice.

Ricci Shryock for NPR hide caption toggle caption Ricci Shryock for NPR That victory—and the excitement it sparked—has changed the way Cape Verdeans see soccer—or football, as they call it here. What was once street play and schoolyard competition now carries the weight of a national dream. Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparação Integral de Futebol (EPIF), one of Cape Verde's most prestigious youth soccer academies.

What Experts Say

He says qualification has transformed how young players 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 training session in Santa Cruz, that dream is easy to spot. The regional football championship of Santiago South, the region that includes the capital, Praia pitted the Travadores versus Boavista — two of the biggest and oldest teams in Cabo Verde — as they competed for the regional title of Praia in Cape Verde. Ricci Shryock for NPR/Ricci Shryock hide caption toggle caption Ricci Shryock for NPR/Ricci Shryock Yuri Marley Fernandes, 14, is a forward at EPIF.

He talks like someone who expects to play on football's biggest stage. "It's my dream," he says. "Football is beautiful and I can play.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.