Cape Verde national football team
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:01:59 PM Wikipedia source
The Cape Verde national football team (Portuguese: Seleção nacional de futebol de Cabo Verde; recognized as Cabo Verde by FIFA) represents Cape Verde in men's international football, and is controlled by the Cape Verdean Football Federation. The team is nicknamed Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks in Portuguese). The national team played its first match on 19 April 1978 against Guinea, a match they lost 1–0. Following the federation's affiliation with the Confederation of African Football and FIFA in 1982, the national team entered Africa Cup of Nations qualification for the first time in 1992 and made its first FIFA World Cup qualification appearance in 2003. The team is coached by Pedro Leitão Brito. Also known as "Creoles" (Portuguese: "Crioulos"), Cape Verde plays the majority of its home matches at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde. They qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time 2013. Since then, they also appeared in the 2015, 2021 and 2023 tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023. Cape Verde qualified to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2026. By doing so, they became the smallest country by land area and the second least populated (after Iceland) to qualify for the World Cup, with a land area of 4,033 square kilometres (1,557 sq mi) and a population of just under 525,000 until Curaçao broke their land area and population records five weeks later when they qualified for the same tournament.
Infobox
Nickname(s)
Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) Crioulos (Creoles)
Association
Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol (FCF)
Confederation
CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation
WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach
Bubista
Captain
Ryan Mendes
Most caps
Ryan Mendes (96)
Top scorer
Ryan Mendes (22)
Home stadium
Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde
FIFA code
CPV
Current
69 2 (1 April 2026)
Highest
27 (February 2014)
Lowest
182 (April 2000)
Appearances
4 (first in 2013)
Best result
Quarter-finals (2013, 2023)
Tables
· History
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Cape Verde
Pld
3
W
2
D
1
L
0
GF
7
GA
3
GD
+4
Pts
7
Qualification
Advance to knockout stage
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Egypt
Pld
3
W
0
D
3
L
0
GF
6
GA
6
GD
0
Pts
3
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Ghana
Pld
3
W
0
D
2
L
1
GF
5
GA
6
GD
−1
Pts
2
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Mozambique
Pld
3
W
0
D
2
L
1
GF
4
GA
7
GD
−3
Pts
2
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Cape Verde | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Egypt | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | |
| 3 | Ghana | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 2 | |
| 4 | Mozambique | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 2 |
· Kit history › Kit manufacturer
Adidas
Adidas
Kit providers
Adidas
Period
1978–1992
Duarig
Duarig
Kit providers
Duarig
Period
1992–1993
Saillev
Saillev
Kit providers
Saillev
Period
1994–2001
Tepa
Tepa
Kit providers
Tepa
Period
2002–2007
Erreà
Erreà
Kit providers
Erreà
Period
2008–2009
KS Sport
KS Sport
Kit providers
KS Sport
Period
2010–2011
Adidas
Adidas
Kit providers
Adidas
Period
2012
Tepa
Tepa
Kit providers
Tepa
Period
2013
Hummel
Hummel
Kit providers
Hummel
Period
2014-2015
Lacatoni
Lacatoni
Kit providers
Lacatoni
Period
2016–2017
Adidas
Adidas
Kit providers
Adidas
Period
2018–2021
Tempo Sport
Tempo Sport
Kit providers
Tempo Sport
Period
2022–2026
Capelli Sport
Capelli Sport
Kit providers
Capelli Sport
Period
2026–present
| Kit providers | Period |
| Adidas | 1978–1992 |
| Duarig | 1992–1993 |
| Saillev | 1994–2001 |
| Tepa | 2002–2007 |
| Erreà | 2008–2009 |
| KS Sport | 2010–2011 |
| Adidas | 2012 |
| Tepa | 2013 |
| Hummel | 2014-2015 |
| Lacatoni | 2016–2017 |
| Adidas | 2018–2021 |
| Tempo Sport | 2022–2026 |
| Capelli Sport | 2026–present |
· Players › Current squad
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Vozinha (vice-captain) | (1986-06-03) 3 June 1986 | 85 | 0 | Chaves | |
| 1GK | Márcio Rosa | (1997-02-23) 23 February 1997 | 10 | 0 | Montana | |
| 1GK | CJ dos Santos | (2000-08-24) 24 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | San Diego | |
| 2DF | Stopira | (1988-05-20) 20 May 1988 | 60 | 4 | Torreense | |
| 2DF | Pico | (1992-06-17) 17 June 1992 | 44 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers | |
| 2DF | João Paulo | (1998-05-26) 26 May 1998 | 40 | 1 | FCSB | |
| 2DF | Diney | (1995-01-17) 17 January 1995 | 29 | 2 | Al Bataeh | |
| 2DF | Logan Costa | (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 | 26 | 0 | Villarreal | |
| 2DF | Steven Moreira | (1994-08-13) 13 August 1994 | 18 | 0 | Columbus Crew | |
| 2DF | Wagner Pina | (2002-11-03) 3 November 2002 | 12 | 0 | Trabzonspor | |
| 2DF | Sidny Lopes Cabral | (2003-09-18) 18 September 2003 | 8 | 3 | Benfica | |
| 2DF | Kelvin Pires | (2000-06-05) 5 June 2000 | 4 | 1 | SJK | |
| 3MF | Jamiro Monteiro | (1993-11-23) 23 November 1993 | 53 | 5 | PEC Zwolle | |
| 3MF | Kevin Pina | (1997-01-27) 27 January 1997 | 30 | 2 | Krasnodar | |
| 3MF | Deroy Duarte | (1999-07-04) 4 July 1999 | 30 | 0 | Ludogorets Razgrad | |
| 3MF | Telmo Arcanjo | (2001-06-21) 21 June 2001 | 14 | 1 | Vitória de Guimarães | |
| 3MF | Laros Duarte | (1997-02-28) 28 February 1997 | 12 | 0 | Puskás Akadémia | |
| 3MF | Yannick Semedo | (1995-12-29) 29 December 1995 | 10 | 1 | Farense | |
| 4FW | Ryan Mendes (captain) | (1990-01-08) 8 January 1990 | 96 | 22 | Iğdır | |
| 4FW | Garry Rodrigues (third captain) | (1990-11-27) 27 November 1990 | 59 | 9 | Apollon Limassol | |
| 4FW | Willy Semedo | (1994-04-27) 27 April 1994 | 36 | 2 | Omonia | |
| 4FW | Jovane Cabral | (1998-06-14) 14 June 1998 | 25 | 2 | Estrela Amadora | |
| 4FW | Benchimol | (2001-12-29) 29 December 2001 | 21 | 5 | Akron Tolyatti | |
| 4FW | Dailon Livramento | (2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 | 20 | 7 | Casa Pia | |
| 4FW | Hélio Varela | (2002-05-03) 3 May 2002 | 19 | 0 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | |
| 4FW | Nuno da Costa | (1991-02-10) 10 February 1991 | 7 | 1 | İstanbul Başakşehir |
· Players › Recent call-ups
GK
GK
Pos.
GK
Player
Bruno Varela
Date of birth (age)
(1994-11-04) 4 November 1994
Caps
8
Goals
0
Club
Al-Hazem
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
GK
GK
Pos.
GK
Player
Henrique Tavares
Date of birth (age)
(2002-07-29) 29 July 2002
Caps
0
Goals
0
Club
Rousset
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Jorginho Soares
Date of birth (age)
(1999-07-18) 18 July 1999
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Montana
Latest call-up
v. Finland, 30 March 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Jójó
Date of birth (age)
(2001-05-19) 19 May 2001
Caps
5
Goals
0
Club
Vizela
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
David Moreira
Date of birth (age)
(2004-04-18) 18 April 2004
Caps
3
Goals
0
Club
Sporting B
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Ricardo Santos
Date of birth (age)
(1995-06-18) 18 June 1995
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Swansea City
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Kristopher Da Graca
Date of birth (age)
(1998-01-16) 16 January 1998
Caps
3
Goals
0
Club
Krasava Ypsonas
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Bruno Almeida
Date of birth (age)
(2000-07-02) 2 July 2000
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Atlético
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Yuran Fernandes
Date of birth (age)
(1994-10-19) 19 October 1994
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
PSM Makassar
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
DF
DF
Pos.
DF
Player
Rivaldo Morais
Date of birth (age)
(2000-09-18) 18 September 2000
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Farense
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Jordan Mendes
Date of birth (age)
(2004-03-07) 7 March 2004
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Rodez
Latest call-up
v. Finland, 30 March 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Ayoni Santos
Date of birth (age)
(2005-07-18) 18 July 2005
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Sparta Rotterdam
Latest call-up
v. Finland, 30 March 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Aílson Tavares
Date of birth (age)
(1998-07-20) 20 July 1998
Caps
4
Goals
0
Club
Beitar Jerusalem
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Fabrício Garcia
Date of birth (age)
(2001-05-04) 4 May 2001
Caps
6
Goals
0
Club
Alverca
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Stéphane Cueni
Date of birth (age)
(2001-03-14) 14 March 2001
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Winterthur
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Elson Mendes
Date of birth (age)
(2005-09-18) 18 September 2005
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Sochaux
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Jordan Semedo
Date of birth (age)
(2003-01-15) 15 January 2003
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Slavia Sofia
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
David Costa
Date of birth (age)
(2004-01-12) 12 January 2004
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Paços de Ferreira
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Ilano Silva Timas
Date of birth (age)
(2002-09-29) 29 September 2002
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
MVV
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
MF
MF
Pos.
MF
Player
Sidnei Tavares
Date of birth (age)
(2001-09-29) 29 September 2001
Caps
0
Goals
0
Club
Blackburn Rovers
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Ieltsin Camões
Date of birth (age)
(1998-04-16) 16 April 1998
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Al Ahly
Latest call-up
v. Finland, 30 March 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Fabio Domingos
Date of birth (age)
(2007-10-05) 5 October 2007
Caps
1
Goals
0
Club
Paris Saint-Germain Youth
Latest call-up
v. Finland, 30 March 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Heriberto Tavares
Date of birth (age)
(1997-02-19) 19 February 1997
Caps
6
Goals
1
Club
Maccabi Netanya
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Alessio da Cruz
Date of birth (age)
(1997-01-18) 18 January 1997
Caps
5
Goals
0
Club
Anorthosis Famagusta
Latest call-up
v. Egypt, 17 November 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Bryan Teixeira
Date of birth (age)
(2000-09-01) 1 September 2000
Caps
6
Goals
1
Club
Žalgiris
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Duk
Date of birth (age)
(2000-02-16) 16 February 2000
Caps
6
Goals
0
Club
Leganés
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Alvin Fortes
Date of birth (age)
(1994-04-25) 25 April 1994
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Selangor
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
FW
FW
Pos.
FW
Player
Rúben Pina
Date of birth (age)
(2000-01-20) 20 January 2000
Caps
2
Goals
0
Club
Leixões
Latest call-up
v. Georgia, 8 June 2025
WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Suspended from the national team.
WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Suspended from the national team.
Pos.
WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Suspended from the national team.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Bruno Varela | (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994 | 8 | 0 | Al-Hazem | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| GK | Henrique Tavares | (2002-07-29) 29 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | Rousset | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| DF | Jorginho Soares | (1999-07-18) 18 July 1999 | 1 | 0 | Montana | v. Finland, 30 March 2025 |
| DF | Jójó | (2001-05-19) 19 May 2001 | 5 | 0 | Vizela | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | David Moreira | (2004-04-18) 18 April 2004 | 3 | 0 | Sporting B | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Ricardo Santos | (1995-06-18) 18 June 1995 | 2 | 0 | Swansea City | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Kristopher Da Graca | (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 | 3 | 0 | Krasava Ypsonas | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| DF | Bruno Almeida | (2000-07-02) 2 July 2000 | 1 | 0 | Atlético | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| DF | Yuran Fernandes | (1994-10-19) 19 October 1994 | 1 | 0 | PSM Makassar | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| DF | Rivaldo Morais | (2000-09-18) 18 September 2000 | 1 | 0 | Farense | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Jordan Mendes | (2004-03-07) 7 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | Rodez | v. Finland, 30 March 2025 |
| MF | Ayoni Santos | (2005-07-18) 18 July 2005 | 1 | 0 | Sparta Rotterdam | v. Finland, 30 March 2025 |
| MF | Aílson Tavares | (1998-07-20) 20 July 1998 | 4 | 0 | Beitar Jerusalem | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| MF | Fabrício Garcia | (2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 | 6 | 0 | Alverca | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Stéphane Cueni | (2001-03-14) 14 March 2001 | 2 | 0 | Winterthur | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Elson Mendes | (2005-09-18) 18 September 2005 | 2 | 0 | Sochaux | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Jordan Semedo | (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 | 2 | 0 | Slavia Sofia | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | David Costa | (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 | 1 | 0 | Paços de Ferreira | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Ilano Silva Timas | (2002-09-29) 29 September 2002 | 1 | 0 | MVV | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| MF | Sidnei Tavares | (2001-09-29) 29 September 2001 | 0 | 0 | Blackburn Rovers | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| FW | Ieltsin Camões | (1998-04-16) 16 April 1998 | 1 | 0 | Al Ahly | v. Finland, 30 March 2025 |
| FW | Fabio Domingos | (2007-10-05) 5 October 2007 | 1 | 0 | Paris Saint-Germain Youth | v. Finland, 30 March 2025 |
| FW | Heriberto Tavares | (1997-02-19) 19 February 1997 | 6 | 1 | Maccabi Netanya | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Alessio da Cruz | (1997-01-18) 18 January 1997 | 5 | 0 | Anorthosis Famagusta | v. Egypt, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Bryan Teixeira | (2000-09-01) 1 September 2000 | 6 | 1 | Žalgiris | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| FW | Duk | (2000-02-16) 16 February 2000 | 6 | 0 | Leganés | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| FW | Alvin Fortes | (1994-04-25) 25 April 1994 | 2 | 0 | Selangor | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| FW | Rúben Pina | (2000-01-20) 20 January 2000 | 2 | 0 | Leixões | v. Georgia, 8 June 2025 |
| WD Player withdrew from the roster for non-injury related reasons. INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. PRE Preliminary squad. SUS Suspended from the national team. | ||||||
· Records › Most appearances
1
1
Rank
1
Player
Ryan Mendes
Caps
96
Goals
22
Career
2010–present
2
2
Rank
2
Player
Vozinha
Caps
87
Goals
0
Career
2012–present
3
3
Rank
3
Player
Babanco
Caps
62
Goals
5
Career
2007–2019
4
4
Rank
4
Player
Stopira
Caps
60
Goals
4
Career
2007–present
Garry Rodrigues
Garry Rodrigues
Rank
Garry Rodrigues
Player
60
Caps
9
Goals
2013–present
6
6
Rank
6
Player
Jamiro Monteiro
Caps
53
Goals
5
Career
2016–present
7
7
Rank
7
Player
Héldon
Caps
52
Goals
15
Career
2008–2019
Marco Soares
Marco Soares
Rank
Marco Soares
Player
52
Caps
3
Goals
2006–2021
Fernando Varela
Fernando Varela
Rank
Fernando Varela
Player
52
Caps
3
Goals
2008–2019
10
10
Rank
10
Player
Júlio Tavares
Caps
48
Goals
8
Career
2012–2022
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Ryan Mendes | 96 | 22 | 2010–present |
| 2 | Vozinha | 87 | 0 | 2012–present |
| 3 | Babanco | 62 | 5 | 2007–2019 |
| 4 | Stopira | 60 | 4 | 2007–present |
| Garry Rodrigues | 60 | 9 | 2013–present | |
| 6 | Jamiro Monteiro | 53 | 5 | 2016–present |
| 7 | Héldon | 52 | 15 | 2008–2019 |
| Marco Soares | 52 | 3 | 2006–2021 | |
| Fernando Varela | 52 | 3 | 2008–2019 | |
| 10 | Júlio Tavares | 48 | 8 | 2012–2022 |
References
- Tied on head-to-head points. Overall goal difference: Ghana −1, Mozambique −3.
- Due to the Malaysian football naturalisation scandal, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee awarded the match as a 3–0 win to
- A Bolahttps://web.archive.org/web/20130116144106/http://www.abola.pt/nnh/ver.aspx?id=376576
- RSSSFhttps://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/century.html
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking"https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men
- eloratingshttps://www.eloratings.net/
- FIFAhttps://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/CPV
- BBChttps://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c04q0gd0yedo
- BBC Sporthttps://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5yldj6nz46o
- RSSSFhttps://www.rsssf.org/tablesk/kaapv-intres.html
- "Cape Verde Islands"https://web.archive.org/web/20070603161104/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=cpv/index.html
- "Foreign contingent boost Cape Verde"https://web.archive.org/web/20140508222918/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=772955/
- "Report: Portugal v Cape Verde Islands – International Friendly – ESPN Soccernet"https://web.archive.org/web/20121021142155/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=289370&cc=5901
- FIFAhttps://web.archive.org/web/20150219140223/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association=cpv/men/index.html
- "Cape Verde Islands: Profile"https://web.archive.org/web/20080411023424/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/teams/team=43850/profile.html
- "Ghana vs. Cape Verde Islands 2–0"https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/02/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/ghana/cape-verde-islands/1406538/
- "AFCON 2015 ROUND UP: Algeria, Cape Verde qualify, Zambia & Nigeria revive fortunes and Uganda suffers set back"https://web.archive.org/web/20160322040406/http://www.kawowo.com/index.php/football/item/19491-afcon-2015-round-up-algeria-qualify-zambia-nigeria-revive-fortunes-and-uganda-suffers-set-back.html
- SAPO Desportohttps://desporto.sapo.pt/futebol/seleccao/cabo-verde/tubaroes/artigo/2014/08/14/rui-guas-quer-levar-sele-o-can2015
- "Cape Verde leave it late to crush Niger"http://www.supersport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/news/141115/Cape_Verde_leave_it_late_to_crush_Niger
- "Cape Verde hit back to deny Tunisia"https://web.archive.org/web/20150128131853/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/africancup/news/newsid/250/855/0/