Cape Verde have named their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup as they look to impress in their first time in the competition.
Bubista is the man charged with leading his nation into the World Cup and he’s got a storied history with Cape Verde after winning 21 caps for his country and being part of the managerial team on three occasions.
There aren’t many names that English football fans will be familiar with but Ryan Mendes, Jamiro Monteiro and Stopira should all be kept an eye on as potential game winners.
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Cape Verde World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vozinha | GK | Chaves (Portugal) | 85 | 0 |
| 12 | Marcio Rosa | GK | Montana (Bulgaria) | 10 | 0 |
| 23 | CJ dos Santos | GK | San Diego (United States) | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Stopira | DF | Torreense (Portugal) | 60 | 4 |
| 4 | Roberto Lopes | DF | Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) | 44 | 0 |
| 8 | Joao Paulo | DF | FCSB (Romania) | 40 | 1 |
| 3 | Diney | DF | Al Bataeh (UAE) | 29 | 2 |
| 5 | Logan Costa | DF | Villarreal (Spain) | 26 | 0 |
| 22 | Steven Moreira | DF | Columbus Crew (United States) | 18 | 0 |
| 24 | Wagner Pina | DF | Trabzonspor (Turkey) | 12 | 0 |
| 13 | Sidny Lopes Cabral | DF | Benfica (Portugal) | 8 | 3 |
| 25 | Kelvin Pires | DF | SJK (Finland) | 4 | 1 |
| 10 | Jamiro Monteiro | MF | PEC Zwolle (Netherlands) | 53 | 5 |
| 6 | Kevin Pina | MF | Krasnodar (Russia) | 30 | 2 |
| 14 | Deroy Duarte | MF | Ludogorets (Bulgaria) | 30 | 0 |
| 18 | Telmo Arcanjo | MF | Vitória de Guimarães (Portugal) | 14 | 1 |
| 15 | Laros Duarte | MF | Puskás Akadémia (Hungary) | 12 | 0 |
| 16 | Yannick Semedo | MF | Farense (Portugal) | 10 | 1 |
| 20 | Ryan Mendes | FW | Igdir (Turkey) | 94 | 22 |
| 11 | Garry Rodrigues | FW | Apollon Limassol (Cyprus) | 59 | 9 |
| 17 | Willy Semedo | FW | Omonia (Cyprus) | 36 | 2 |
| 7 | Jovane Cabral | FW | Estrela Amadora (Portugal) | 25 | 2 |
| 9 | Gilson Benchimol | FW | Akron Tolyatti (Russia) | 21 | 5 |
| 19 | Dailon Livramento | FW | Casa Pia (Portugal) | 20 | 7 |
| 26 | Helio Varela | FW | Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) | 19 | 0 |
| 21 | Nuno da Costa | FW | Başakşehir (Turkey) | 7 | 1 |
Cape Verde have named their 26-man squad, with the majority of players coming from minor European leagues. There’s plenty of experience in the squad, with seven players amassing 40 or more caps for their country.
Despite this only one player, Ryan Mendes, has scored double figures for the African nation. They are in a tough group, with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia and will be up against it when they arrive in North America.
- Read more: Cape Verde World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Ryan Mendes (Igdir)
Ryan Mendes is poised to be a pivotal figure for Cape Verde at their debut 2026 World Cup appearance. As captain, their most capped player, and top goalscorer, Mendes brings invaluable experience and leadership to the squad. The attacking winger, now 36, has a long career in Europe and the Middle East, providing a crucial x-factor with his seasoned presence in major competitions. His ability to inspire and perform on the biggest stage will be essential for the island nation as they aim to make a significant impact in their historic first World Cup campaign.
Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol)
Garry Rodrigues, a seasoned winger, will be a crucial asset for Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup. His extensive experience in European leagues and consistent performance, including five goals in 26 matches during the 2025-26 season, highlight his enduring quality. Rodrigues brings pace, technical skill, and a keen eye for goal, making him a significant threat on the flanks. His ability to create scoring opportunities and contribute offensively will be vital for Cape Verde, especially as they navigate their historic debut on the global stage. His leadership and attacking prowess will be instrumental in their quest to make a memorable impact.
Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle)
Jamiro Monteiro is poised to be a central figure in Cape Verde’s World Cup campaign. As an influential midfielder, his experience and tactical awareness will be crucial in dictating play and linking defense with attack. Despite a recent injury concern, Monteiro’s presence is vital for the island nation, providing stability and creativity in the engine room. His ability to control the tempo of matches and contribute both defensively and offensively will be instrumental in Cape Verde’s efforts to compete on the global stage. Monteiro’s leadership and consistent performances will be key to their success.
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Cape Verde World Cup 2026 fixtures
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