Published: July 6, 2026
Monrovia – Thousands of jubilant supporters welcomed Cape Verde’s national football team home Sunday after the Blue Sharks completed a historic FIFA World Cup debut that captured the imagination of fans around the globe.
The players arrived in the capital, Praia, after their remarkable tournament ended with a dramatic extra-time defeat to defending champion Argentina in the round of 16.
The airport erupted into celebration as supporters beat drums, danced, sang and waved Cape Verdean flags in honor of a team that exceeded expectations on the world’s biggest football stage.
Goalkeeper Vozinha, whose standout performances earned worldwide acclaim throughout the tournament, thanked supporters upon his arrival.
“It is a very great moment for us to be here with our people,” said Vozinha, whose full name is Josimar José Évora Dias. “We wanted something bigger, but we didn’t go to the next stage. Now we just enjoy the moment and celebrate with our people.”
Fans chanted the names of their heroes, including defender Pico Lopes, while players signed jerseys and posed for photographs.
One supporter said she attended the homecoming to thank the Blue Sharks for representing one of the smallest nations ever to compete at the World Cup and proving they could compete with football’s elite.
The celebrations coincided with Cape Verde’s Independence Day, marking 51 years since the country gained independence from Portugal.
Ranked 67th in the world before the tournament, Cape Verde defied expectations by advancing from the group stage after earning three draws, including a memorable 0-0 result against European champion Spain in its opening match.
The Blue Sharks pushed Argentina to the limit in one of the tournament’s most memorable matches. After falling behind to a Lionel Messi goal, Cape Verde equalized to force extra time. They rallied again after Argentina restored its lead, with Sidny Lopes Cabral scoring a spectacular equalizer before Cristian Romero’s header, deflected into the net by Diney Borges, sent the defending champions through.
Cape Verde coach Pedro “Bubista” Leitão Brito praised his players despite the heartbreaking defeat.
“We showed that we may be a small country, but we can play against the best teams in the world,” Bubista said. “That’s a reason for pride. We made history for our country.”
Morocco Eliminates Canada
Meanwhile, Morocco knocked co-host Canada out of the World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory in Houston, making Canada the first host nation eliminated from the 2026 tournament.
After a tense and physical first half, Morocco broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart when Azzedine Ounahi swept home Achraf Hakimi’s cutback from a well-worked free kick.
Ounahi doubled the lead in the 82nd minute after finishing a swift counterattack, before Soufiane Rahimi added a third in stoppage time by sliding the ball beneath goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
Canada started brightly and created the better early chances but failed to capitalize before Morocco took control after halftime.
The victory sends Morocco into the quarterfinals, while Canada’s World Cup campaign ends in disappointment on home soil.
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