Cape Verde’s presence at this World Cup, where they take on favourites Spain in their opening game, is one of the fairy-tales of this tournament. But it has been coming. “I believe we can surprise people once again,” Telmo Arcanjo tells Sky Sports.
Their attacking midfielder has a point. Cape Verde are far from the lowest-ranked nation at this World Cup. In fact, they are currently above a Ghana team that includes many familiar Premier League names. They finished well clear of Cameroon in qualifying.
Those who have followed their adventures in the Africa Cup of Nations will know that they were quarter-finalists in their first appearance at the finals in 2013 and repeated the feat in early 2024. This tiny island nation has hit upon a formula for success.
“The secret is unity,” Arcanjo explains. This is a group of players of different ages, who are based – and indeed were born – in various different countries. “But whenever we come together for the national team, we put the country above everything else.”
Cape Verde only joined FIFA in 1986 and did not actually compete in World Cup qualifying until the start of this century but with help from the diaspora, their true potential is being realised. One look at the make up of the squad highlights that.
While a dozen of the group were born in Cape Verde, there are six Netherlands-born players, a trio from France and three more, Arcanjo included, from Portugal. Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes was born in Ireland. Goalkeeper CJ dos Santos was born in Philadelphia.
Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde celebrates his side’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup
All their stories are different. For Pico, the Shamrock Rovers defender eligible through his father, discovering more about his heritage has been a journey in itself. For Arcanjo, it was always a significant element in his life. “It is part of who I am,” he explains.
“I was born and raised in Europe, but I have always been very close to Cape Verdean culture through my family. Cape Verde means representing my roots, my history and the people who came before me. It is something I carry with great pride and responsibility.”
Indeed, while Arcanjo may have been born in Lisbon, his ties to Cape Verde are such that his older brother represented the country before he did. “My family has supported me through every stage of my career and has a very strong connection to Cape Verde.”
Is this for them as much as him? “Without a doubt. Being able to represent the country on a stage of this magnitude is something that belongs to them as well. It is a reward for all the sacrifices they made and for the support they have given me over the years.”
The sense of pride is palpable. “It means much more than football. Cape Verde is a small country, but it has a very strong identity and a huge diaspora spread across the world.” Maybe it even means more to emigrant communities. A chance to give back.
“Being at a World Cup is an opportunity to show who we are, our culture, our history and the talent of our people,” Arcanjo points out. “It is a source of national pride and something that brings Cape Verdeans together wherever they are living in the world.”
That was certainly evident given the scenes against Eswatini in October. With the prize of a World Cup in their sights, it was a tense day until they ran out 3-0 winners. “The emotion at the final whistle, when we realised that we had qualified,” Arcanjo recalls.
“It was a moment that is difficult to put into words. We knew what it meant for the country and for everyone who believed in us. Seeing the joy of my teammates, the coaching staff and the supporters is something that will stay with me forever.”
Cape Verde midfielder Telmo Arcanjo greets fans at a training session before the World Cup
Arcanjo is likely to start in one of the attacking positions in coach Bubista’s 4-2-3-1 formation, after an impressive season with Vitoria Guimaraes in which they won the Taca da Liga with a dramatic victory over rivals Braga. “A special moment,” he says.
“It was a very positive season. On a personal level, I see each season as an opportunity to keep improving and evolving. I grew as a player and, above all, as a person. We also managed to achieve something historic that will always be part of the club’s history.”
But if it is history that Arcanjo is after, the prize for Cape Verde might be even sweeter. This is the biggest stage of them all and the draw pits them against European champions Spain in their opener before taking on two-time World Cup winners Uruguay.
“We know the quality Spain has and the challenge that lies ahead of us, but we also know what we are capable of when we are united and focused. Our goal is to compete at the highest level in every match and represent Cape Verde in the best possible way.”
The target? “To create more historic moments for our country. To show the world the quality that exists in our football,” he says. “There has also been a lot of hard work, organisation and a constant belief that we could achieve something historic.”
