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 change in young players since the national team’s recent success. Here players prepare for training sessions.
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Praia—Cape Verde may be small, but its soccer World Cup dream is big. With just over five lakh people, it is one of the smallest countries ever to qualify for the tournament.
From the volcanic islands of the Atlantic, the team—known as the Blue Sharks—is chasing history. This summer, they will play in the World Cup for the first time—this is one of the smallest countries by population.
The island nation off the coast of West Africa is not just appearing at this summer’s World Cup, it is competing with ambitions far bigger than its geography.
Having secured their spot last year with a 3-0 win over Eswatini, the country erupted in celebration. The streets were filled with cheering fans. Hug strangers. The parties continued till late night.
Pedro Bettencourt, president of the country’s prestigious youth football training school, known by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he has seen a change in young players since the national team’s success. Here young players prepare for practice.
Rikki Shryock for NPR
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Rikki Shryock for NPR
That win and the excitement it generated has changed the way Cape Verdeans view football – or soccer, as they call it here. What was once a street play and a school competition now carries the weight of a national dream.
Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparção Integral de Fútbol (EPIF), one of Cape Verde’s most prestigious youth football academies. He says the qualification has changed the way young players see their future.
“The expectations from our young players are very high,” he says. “With our caliber, the youth have very high dreams.”
In a training session in Santa Cruz, it is easy to recognize that dream.
The regional football championship of Santiago South, the region that includes the capital, Praia pitted Travadores versus Boavista – the two largest and oldest teams 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 forward in EPIF. He talks like a man who expects to play on football’s biggest stage.
“This is my dream,” he says. “Football is beautiful and I can play. I can win the World Cup. I play very well. I’m a forward—very fast—and my goals are beautiful.”
Yuri Marley Fernandes introduces himself as “Cape Verde’s best player”. Fernandes is 14 years old, a forward in the EPIF, and already sounds like a man who belongs on the big stage.
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For Fernandes the dream is personal. But for Cape Verde, it extends far beyond the islands.
The country is an archipelago of 10 islands, home to a large number of expatriates – more Cape Verdeans live abroad than at home. The national team reflects that reality, consisting of players from across Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Among them, defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, better known as Stopira, is one of the team’s standout stars.
A view of Praia, the capital in Cape Verde.
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We met his mother, Maria da Grassa Santos – affectionately known as “Da” – at her clothing store in Praia. She was glowing talking about her son.
“I feel thrilled for us, for the Cape Verde football team, and I am very happy with my son’s journey,” she said. “He’s been playing and working for it since he was little. Everyone in Cape Verde is excited that we’re going to the World Cup. Now the world knows about Cape Verde, even though we’re a small country.”
After our visit, he arranged for a phone call with Stopira. Speaking from Portugal between training sessions, he reflected on what qualifying for the World Cup means for the country – and for the fans who have cheered them on every step of the way.
Maria da Grassa Santos, mother of Cape Verde national football team player Ianique dos Santos Tavares – better known by his nickname Stopira, in front of a poster of her son. At one of her shops in the capital, she sells Cape Verde football gear.
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“It means everything to us. I’m happy because I’m a part of it,” he said. “I have spent my entire career with this dream…I don’t have words to describe it…realizing not only my dream, but the dreams of the entire country.”
Most of Cape Verde’s progress in football comes from investment national federation. Its president, Mario Semedo, says that FIFA funding has helped improve training facilities and pitches throughout the islands. He says that the importance of football here goes beyond being a game and creating opportunities and national pride.
“Football means a lot to young people,” Semedo says. “This can help keep them away from negative influences, and in some cases even prevent juvenile delinquency.”
Young men play football on the beach in Praia, Cape Verde.
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The federation is expected to earn about $10.5 million for reaching the World Cup group stage, money officials say will help strengthen youth development and expand scouting in the diaspora.
Cape Verde’s first test at the World Cup could hardly be tougher: on June 15 in Atlanta they face Spain, one of the tournament favourites.
But on the pitches of this small island, the next generation keeps training – inspired by a World Cup dream that no longer seems impossible.
