CPV
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP H · POT 2

Cape Verde
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Bubista · Real name Pedro Leitão Brito. Cape Verdean head coach since 2020 — a former Cape Verde defender (28 caps). Engineered the country's historic first World Cup qualification and arrives at his first World Cup.
MD1 Jun 15 vs Spain MD2 Jun 21 vs Uruguay MD3 Jun 26 vs Saudi Arabia
0th World Cup appearance · best finish: Debut ()
26
Squad size
29.2
Avg. age
26 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 26
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Bubista's Cape Verde announced their final 26 on May 18. This is the country's first-ever World Cup — at 4,033 km² (smallest land area at the World Cup) and 525,000 population (second-smallest after Iceland), it's a historic debut. Captain Ryan Mendes (22 international goals — all-time top scorer) and 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha provide veteran spine.

Backbone: Mendes + Logan Costa (Villarreal's 25-year-old CB) + Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle) + Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets) + Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica). Many Portuguese-heritage players spread across Europe (Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel) and MLS — a multinational squad.

Group H opponents: Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. June 15 vs Spain (Atlanta) → June 21 vs Uruguay (Miami) → June 26 vs Saudi Arabia (Houston). As debutants any point is historic, while a knockout berth would be a global shock story.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Bubista's preferred 4-3-3/5-3-2 hybrid. Deroy Duarte anchors with Jamiro Monteiro and Kevin Pina as 8s. The front three: Garry Rodrigues (left), Mendes (right) and Livramento (No.9). Logan Costa and Roberto Lopes anchor the back line.

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

20
RW · FW
Ryan Mendes
Iğdır · 36
98 caps · 22G WC debut
Captain & all-time top scorer
CAPTAIN
5
CB · DF
Logan Costa
Villarreal · 25 · La Liga
28 caps · 0G WC debut
Young defensive pillar (Villarreal)
ACE
1
GK · GK
Vozinha
Chaves · 40
86 caps · 0G WC debut
40yo legendary keeper
10
CM · MF
Jamiro Monteiro
PEC Zwolle · 32 · Eredivisie
55 caps · 5G WC debut
Midfield creativity
19
ST · FW
Dailon Livramento
Casa Pia · 25
22 caps · 7G WC debut
Goalscoring No.9
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 6
FW FORWARDS 8
GROUP H

GROUP H.

ESP
Spain
POT 1
CPV
Cape Verde
POT 2
KSA
Saudi Arabia
POT 3
URU
Uruguay
POT 4
Mon, Jun 15
Spain vs Cape Verde
Atlanta Stadium · Atlanta, GA
A historic World Cup debut in Atlanta vs Pot 1 Spain. Cape Verde (population 525,000) facing Europe's champions with Yamal and Pedri — Mendes and Livramento eye counters.
View lineups →
MD1
Sun, Jun 21
Uruguay vs Cape Verde
Miami Stadium · Miami Gardens, FL
Miami showdown vs Uruguay. The Roberto Lopes/Logan Costa pairing must keep focus against Núñez and Pellistri's pace and physicality.
View lineups →
MD2
Fri, Jun 26
Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde
Houston Stadium · Houston, TX
Group decider vs Saudi Arabia (the 2034 World Cup hosts). Mendes and Livramento need to create chances from the flanks against their organisation.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group H
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Winners Group J
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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