Cape Verde national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) Crioulos (Creoles) |
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Association | Federação Caboverdiana de Futebol (FCF) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | |||
Head coach | Bubista | |||
Captain | Ryan Mendes | |||
Most caps | Ryan Mendes (84) | |||
Top scorer | Ryan Mendes (21) | |||
Home stadium | Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde | |||
FIFA code | CPV | |||
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FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 74 2 (7 February 2019) | |||
Highest | 27 (February 2014) | |||
Lowest | 182 (April 2000) | |||
Elo ranking | ||||
Current | 104 6 (3 March 2019) | |||
Highest | 69 (31 March 2015) | |||
Lowest | 146 (August 1998) | |||
First international | ||||
Cape Verde 0–1 Guinea (Guinea-Bissau; 19 April 1978) |
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Biggest win | ||||
Cape Verde 7–1 São Tomé and Príncipe (Praia, Cape Verde; 13 June 2015) Liechtenstein 0–6 Cape Verde (San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain; 25 March 2022) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||
Senegal 5–1 Cape Verde (Mali; 12 February 1981) Cape Verde 0–4 Ghana (Praia, Cape Verde; 8 October 2005) Guinea 4–0 Cape Verde (Conakry, Guinea; 9 September 2007) Burkina Faso 4–0 Cape Verde (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; 14 November 2017) Algeria 5–1 Cape Verde (Constantine, Algeria; 12 October 2023) |
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Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2013) | |||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2013, 2023) |
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 has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, but has qualified for four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, in 2013, 2015, 2021 and 2023. The team achieved their best result in 2023 after making it past the first round of the knockout stage.
Contents
History
Overview
Cape Verde became independent from Portugal in 1975. The national team's first international was a 1–0 defeat to Guinea on 29 May 1978, in a tournament in Guinea-Bissau. The Cape Verdean Football Federation was formed in 1982, and joined FIFA in 1986.
Cape Verdeans abroad, who are more numerous than the population of the islands themselves, are a major source of players for the national team. Most of Cape Verde's current international footballers play outside Cape Verde (mainly in Europe, but also in Asia), and some were born outside the islands.
Several players of Cape Verdean origin have chosen to play for other national teams. These include Eliseu, Nani, Oceano, Manuel Fernandes, Rolando, Nélson Marcos, Jorge Andrade, Miguel and Silvestre Varela, who all represent Portugal, as well as Mickaël Tavares, Jacques and Ricardo Faty (Senegal), Patrick Vieira (France), Gelson Fernandes (Switzerland), Henrik Larsson (Sweden), David Mendes da Silva, Lerin Duarte, Jerson Cabral (Netherlands) and Rui (Equatorial Guinea), among other examples.
World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers
Cape Verde has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but have qualified for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Its first World Cup qualifying campaign was the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, in which Cape Verde was eliminated in the first round after one draw and one defeat against Algeria.
In the qualification campaign for the 2006 World Cup and the 2006 African Nations Cup, Cape Verde advanced to the Final Round after its first victory in a World Cup qualifier, beating Swaziland. In the Final Round, the team made an impression with its first-ever away victory against Burkina Faso, but finished fifth in its group and failed to qualify for either finals.
Old coach João de Deus from Portugal brought in several new players from European leagues for the 2010 World Cup/2010 African Nations Cup qualifiers. Cape Verde finished second in its group in the Second round, ahead of Tanzania and Mauritius, but behind Cameroon, and did not advance to the Third round. Cape Verde's top goal scorer of the qualifying campaign was Dady.
Then, finally, Cape Verde qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, after stunning Cameroon 3–2 on aggregate.
2013 Africa Cup of Nations
On 14 October 2012, Cape Verde managed to secure their first ever berth in the Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, when they defeated Cameroon 3–2 on aggregate score, following a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, having won the home leg 2–0 in Praia just weeks prior to their qualification.
On 24 October 2012, Cape Verde were drawn into Group A of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Angola, Morocco and the host nation South Africa. Furthermore, Cape Verde played the opening match of the tournament at Soccer City in Johannesburg, Gauteng, against South Africa on 19 January 2013 – Soccer City being the host venue for the 2010 World Cup Final. Pulled from the fourth pot during the group stage drawing of the tournament, Cape Verde actually had the highest FIFA ranking of any team in their group at the time of the drawing, ranking at 51st overall, followed by Morocco (71st), South Africa (72nd) and Angola (83rd). Cape Verde also had the 10th highest FIFA ranking in the CAF zone at the time of the drawing as well.
Cape Verde drew with South Africa 0–0 in the tournament's first match, before drawing with Morocco 1–1. Platini scored Cape Verde's first ever goal at the AFCON, who were unfortunate to let an early lead slip. They however did win their first ever AFCON match against Angola, which they won 2–1 (despite an early own goal by captain Nando Maria Neves), through the late goals from Fernando Varela and Héldon Ramos, thus qualifying for the quarter-finals, and thus reaching the last eight in their maiden appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
On 2 February 2013, Cape Verde faced Ghana in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, in the quarter-finals of the tournament. Cape Verde played a good match, with 16 shots on Ghana's goal to their eight, with seven shots on target to their two, Cape Verde proved to be especially dangerous from set-pieces, however Ghana's keeper Abdul Dauda managed to keep a clean sheet making some spectacular saves, and with Mubarak Wakaso scoring a penalty kick for Ghana in the 54' minute, and then scoring again in the closing minute of the game (90+5') on an open goal, Ghana would win the match 2–0, to move on to the semi-finals, and ending Cape Verde's exceptional 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
2015 Africa Cup of Nations
On 15 October 2014, Cape Verde became the first of two nations to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Algeria, joining the host nation Equatorial Guinea after defeating Mozambique 1–0 at home. The team, under newly appointed manager Rui Águas, picked up where Lúcio Antunes left off and managed to finish in the top two of the group stage with two matches remaining to play in the qualification process, having been drawn in a group together with Mozambique, Niger and Zambia. On 15 November 2014, Cape Verde secured first place in their group, finishing as Group F winners by defeating Niger 3–1 at home, with one match remaining to play for qualification.
Pooled from Pot 3 on 3 December 2014, Cape Verde were drawn into Group B of the final tournament, together with Zambia, Tunisia and DR Congo. On 18 January 2015 they played their first match against Tunisia at the Estadio de Ebibeyin. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with Héldon leveling the score off a penalty kick in the 78-minute. Cape Verde then drew 0–0 against DR Congo four days later, with the advancement out of the group stage depending on the final match results of both teams.
Facing off against Zambia on 26 January 2015, with both teams depending on the result of the other match between Tunisia and DR Congo and having to finish with a win themselves, the match ended in 0–0 draw, leaving both Cape Verde and Zambia eliminated from the Cup. Contested during a tropical storm, with 26 mm of heavy rainfall, Cape Verde exited the tournament tied with DR Congo for points and undefeated, yet losing to DR Congo on goal difference. Exhibiting good form, poise and defensive prowess, the team were only able to score one goal, while exiting at the group stage of their second appearance in the finals of the tournament, while remaining unbeaten in any Cup of Nations group stage match.
Other tournaments and notable matches
Cape Verde has two titles: It hosted and won the Amílcar Cabral Cup in 2000, and won the gold medal in the football tournament at the 2009 Lusophony Games. The team also won a bronze medal at the 2006 Lusophony Games. For the first time in its history, on 2 November 2002, it faced a non-African team, Luxembourg, in a friendly, resulting in a scoreless draw. On 4 September 2009, it faced Malta in a friendly, resulting in a 2–0 victory. On 24 May 2010, Cape Verde played out a 0–0 draw in a friendly match against a full-strength Portugal. At the time, Portugal was third in the FIFA rankings and Cape Verde were 117th. On 31 March 2015, a second friendly against Portugal resulted in a 2–0 victory in Portugal.
Stadiums
The team used to play their games at Estádio da Várzea. It is located in the capital city, Praia, on the Santiago Island. The stadium opened in 2006 and holds 10,000 people.
In 2014 the new stadium Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde was opened, able to host a capacity of 15,000 people. On 15 October 2014 the team qualified for their second Africa Cup of Nations at the new stadium, in a 1–0 victory over Mozambique, making them the first of all teams in CAF to qualify for the tournament.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
2026 World Cup qualification 16 November | Cape Verde | 0–0 | Angola | Praia, Cape Verde | ||
18:00 UTC−1 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017594 | Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Youcef Gamouh (Algeria) |
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2026 World Cup qualification 21 November | Swaziland | 0–2 | Cape Verde | Mbombela, South Africa | ||
15:00 UTC+2 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017596 | Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Referee: Sabri Mohamed Fadul (Sudan) |
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2024
Friendly 10 January | Tunisia | 2–0 | Cape Verde | Tunis, Tunisia | ||
18:30 UTC+1 |
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Report (Soccerway) Report (Eurosport) |
Stadium: Stade Hammadi Agrebi |
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2023 Africa Cup of Nations GS 14 January | Ghana | 1–2 | Cape Verde | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ||
20:00 UTC±0 | Djiku 56' | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/14/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/ghana/cape-verde-islands/4262300/ |
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Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 11,943 Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo) |
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2023 Africa Cup of Nations GS 19 January | Cape Verde | 3–0 | Mozambique | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ||
20:00 UTC±0 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/cape-verde-islands/mozambique/4262302/ | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 5,794 Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco) |
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2023 Africa Cup of Nations GS 22 January | Cape Verde | 2–2 | Egypt | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast | ||
20:00 UTC±0 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/22/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/cape-verde-islands/egypt/4262304/ |
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Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad) |
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Africa Cup of Nations R16 29 January | Cape Verde | 1–0 | Mauritania | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ||
20:00 UTC±0 |
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https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/29/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/cape-verde-islands/mauritania/4273895/ | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 16,088 Referee: Mohamed Adel (Egypt) |
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Africa Cup of Nations QF 3 February | Cape Verde | 0–0 (1–2 pen)
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South Africa | Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast | ||
20:00 UTC±0 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/03/africa/africa-cup-of-nations/cape-verde-islands/south-africa/4273903/ | Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo) |
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Penalties | ||||||
*Bebé
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* Mokoena
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2024 FIFA Series 21 March | Cape Verde | 1–0 | Guyana | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ||
22:00 UTC+3 | Mendes 2' | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289421/289422/400017947 | Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Referee: Shukri Al-Hunfush (Saudi Arabia) |
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2024 FIFA Series 25 March | Cape Verde | 1–0 | Equatorial Guinea | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ||
22:00 UTC+3 | Cabral 64' | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/506/289421/289422/400017946 | Stadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Referee: Qasim Matar Al-Hatmi (Oman) |
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2026 FIFA WC Qualifier 8 June | Cameroon | 4–1 | Cape Verde | Yaoundé, Cameroon | ||
17:00 UTC+1 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018185 | Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria) |
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2026 FIFA WC Qualifier 11 June | Cape Verde | 1–0 | Libya | Praia, Cape Verde | ||
15:00 UTC−1 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/11/africa/wc-qualifying-africa/cape-verde-islands/libya/4236850/ | Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 6 September 2024 | Egypt | 3–0 | Cape Verde | Cairo, Egypt | ||
22:00 UTC+2 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/06/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/egypt/cape-verde-islands/4406343/ | Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 10 September 2024 | Cape Verde | 2–0 | Mauritania | Praia, Cape Verde | ||
18:00 UTC−1 |
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https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/10/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/cape-verde-islands/mauritania/4406345/ | Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 10 October 2024 | Cape Verde | 0–1 | Botswana | Praia, Cape Verde | ||
15:00 UTC−1 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/10/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/cape-verde-islands/botswana/4406348/ | Orebonye 2' | Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 15 October 2024 | Botswana | 1–0 | Cape Verde | Francistown, Botswana | ||
18:00 UTC+2 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/10/15/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/botswana/cape-verde-islands/4406350/ | Stadium: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Attendance: 8,000 Referee: Messie Nkounkou (Congo) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 15 November 2024 | Cape Verde | 1–1 | Egypt | Praia, Cape Verde | ||
14:00 UTC−1 |
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https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/15/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/cape-verde-islands/egypt/4406351/ | Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Djindo Louis Houngnandande (Benin) |
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2025 AFCON qualifier 19 November 2024 | Mauritania | 1–0 | Cape Verde | Nouakchott, Mauritania | ||
15:00 UTC±0 | https://it.soccerway.com/matches/2024/11/19/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/mauritania/cape-verde-islands/4406353/ | Stadium: Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria) |
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2025
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier March | Cape Verde | v | Mauritius | TBD, Cape Verde | ||
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier March | Angola | v | Cape Verde | TBD, Angola | ||
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier September | Mauritius | v | Cape Verde | TBD, Mauritius | ||
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier September | Cape Verde | v | Cameroon | TBD, Cape Verde | ||
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier October | Libya | v | Cape Verde | TBD, Libya | ||
2026 FIFA WC Qualifier October | Cape Verde | v | Swaziland | TBD, Cape Verde | ||
Coaching history
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Egypt and Mauritania on 15 and 19 November 2024 respectively.
Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Mauritania.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Vozinha | 3 June 1986 | 76 | 0 | Chaves | |
GK | Bruno Varela | 4 November 1994 | 7 | 0 | Vitória Guimaraes | |
GK | Márcio Rosa | 23 February 1997 | 1 | 0 | Hebar Pazardzhik | |
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DF | Pico Lopes | 17 June 1992 | 36 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers | |
DF | João Paulo | 26 May 1998 | 30 | 1 | Sheriff Tiraspol | |
DF | Logan Costa | 1 April 2001 | 25 | 0 | Villarreal | |
DF | Diney | 17 January 1995 | 21 | 1 | Al Bataeh | |
DF | Dylan Tavares | 30 August 1996 | 20 | 1 | Bastia | |
DF | Steven Moreira | 13 August 1994 | 13 | 0 | Columbus Crew | |
DF | Wagner Pina | 3 November 2002 | 4 | 0 | Estoril | |
DF | Kelvin Pires | 5 June 2000 | 2 | 0 | SJK | |
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MF | Jamiro Monteiro | 23 November 1993 | 43 | 5 | Gaziantep | |
MF | Patrick Andrade | 9 February 1993 | 25 | 0 | Qarabağ | |
MF | Deroy Duarte | 4 July 1999 | 22 | 0 | Ludogorets Razgrad | |
MF | Kevin Pina Lenini | 27 January 1997 | 22 | 2 | Krasnodar | |
MF | Laros Duarte | 28 February 1997 | 9 | 0 | Groningen | |
MF | Telmo Arcanjo | 21 June 2001 | 6 | 0 | Vitoria | |
MF | Yannick Semedo | 29 December 1995 | 2 | 0 | Santa Clara | |
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FW | Ryan Mendes (vice-captain) | 8 January 1990 | 84 | 21 | Fatih Karagümrük | |
FW | Bebé | 12 July 1990 | 26 | 6 | Racing de Ferrol | |
FW | Gilson Tavares Benchimol | 29 December 2001 | 21 | 5 | Akron Tolyatti | |
FW | Jovane Cabral | 14 June 1998 | 18 | 2 | Sporting CP | |
FW | Hélio Varela | 3 May 2002 | 13 | 0 | Portimonense | |
FW | Dailon Livramento | 4 May 2001 | 9 | 0 | Hellas Verona |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for Cape Verde in the last 12 months and are still eligible to represent.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Dylan Silva | 10 February 1999 | 0 | 0 | Sintrense | vs. Botswana, 15 October 2024 |
GK | Tiago Gomes | 14 August 2002 | 0 | 0 | Union Saint-Gilloise | vs. Libya, 11 June 2024 |
GK | Paulo Santos Cassoco | 21 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Estrela Amadora U23 | vs. Libya, 11 June 2024 |
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DF | Jójó | 19 May 2001 | 2 | 0 | Paços de Ferreira | vs. Botswana, 15 October 2024 |
DF | Rivaldo Morais | 18 September 2000 | 0 | 0 | Farense | vs. Botswana, 15 October 2024 |
DF | Kristopher Da Graca | 16 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | Kuopion Palloseura | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
DF | Erik Duarte | 31 October 1996 | 0 | 0 | Académica | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
DF | Ponck | 13 January 1995 | 23 | 0 | Moreirense | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
DF | Steve Furtado | 22 November 1994 | 16 | 0 | CSKA 1948 | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
DF | Steven Fortès | 17 April 1992 | 13 | 0 | Quevilly-Rouen | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
DF | João Correia | 5 September 1996 | 4 | 0 | Chaves | vs. 2023 AFCON DEC |
DF | Nica Panduru | 29 November 1995 | 2 | 0 | Boavista do Praia | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
DF | Delmiro Nascimento | 19 August 1988 | 1 | 0 | AEZ Zakakiou | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
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MF | David Tavares | 18 March 1999 | 6 | 0 | Torreense | vs. Botswana, 15 October 2024 |
MF | Diogo Mendes | 24 January 1998 | 2 | 0 | Maritimo | vs. Mauritania, 10 September 2024 |
MF | Kenny Rocha Santos | 3 January 2000 | 29 | 1 | AEZ Zakakiou | vs. 2023 AFCON |
MF | Cuca | 9 January 1991 | 11 | 0 | União de Leiria | vs. 2023 AFCON |
MF | Hélder Tavares | 26 December 1989 | 14 | 0 | Tondela | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
MF | Leandro Andrade | 24 September 1999 | 6 | 0 | Qarabağ | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
MF | Vasco Lopes | 2 September 1990 | 4 | 0 | AVS | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
MF | Bruno Freire | 27 March 1999 | 0 | 0 | Dudelange | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
MF | Joao Paulo | 1 December 1997 | 0 | 0 | Palmeira | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
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FW | Garry Rodrigues | 27 November 1990 | 53 | 8 | Ankaragücü | vs. Egypt, 15 November 2024 PRE |
FW | Fabricio Garcia | 4 May 2001 | 4 | 0 | Estoril U23 | vs. Botswana, 15 October 2024 |
FW | Lisandro Semedo | 12 March 1996 | 19 | 2 | Wieczysta Kraków | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
FW | Willy Semedo | 27 April 1994 | 24 | 0 | Omonia | vs. Mauritania, 10 September 2024 |
FW | Patrick Fernandes | 13 December 1993 | 4 | 0 | Torreense | vs. Mauritania, 10 September 2024 |
FW | Clé | 12 December 1997 | 5 | 1 | Hapoel Kfar Shalem | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
FW | Hildeberto Pereira | 2 March 1996 | 1 | 0 | Portimonense | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
FW | Carlos Fortes | 9 November 1994 | 1 | 0 | Foshan Nanshi | vs. Equatorial Guinea, 26 March 2024 |
FW | Bryan Teixeira | 1 September 2000 | 7 | 1 | 1. FC Magdeburg | vs. 2023 AFCON |
FW | Júlio Tavares | 19 November 1988 | 48 | 8 | Al Raed | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
FW | Djaniny | 21 March 1991 | 35 | 6 | Al Fateh | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE INJ |
FW | Duk | 16 February 2000 | 5 | 0 | Aberdeen | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
FW | Papalélé | 16 March 1998 | 2 | 1 | Karviná | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
FW | Alessio da Cruz | 18 January 1997 | 1 | 0 | Fortuna Sittard | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
FW | Serginho | 29 January 2001 | 1 | 0 | Viborg | vs. 2023 AFCON PRE |
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue. |
Records
- Players in bold are still active with Cape Verde.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Ryan Mendes | 79 | 18 | 2010–present |
2 | Vozinha | 77 | 0 | 2012–present |
3 | Babanco | 62 | 5 | 2007–2019 |
4 | Stopira | 58 | 3 | 2007–2023 |
5 | Garry Rodrigues | 53 | 8 | 2013–present |
6 | Héldon | 52 | 15 | 2008–2019 |
Marco Soares | 52 | 3 | 2006–2021 | |
Fernando Varela | 52 | 3 | 2008–2019 | |
9 | Júlio Tavares | 48 | 8 | 2012–present |
10 | Lito | 47 | 7 | 2002–2012 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Ryan Mendes | 18 | 79 | 0.23 | 2010–present |
2 | Héldon | 15 | 52 | 0.29 | 2008–2019 |
3 | Caló | 11 | 27 | 0.41 | 1995–2007 |
4 | Júlio Tavares | 8 | 48 | 0.17 | 2012–present |
Garry Rodrigues | 8 | 53 | 0.15 | 2013–present | |
6 | Lito | 7 | 47 | 0.15 | 2002–2012 |
7 | Toni | 6 | 11 | 0.55 | 1992–2003 |
Bebé | 6 | 23 | 0.26 | 2022–present | |
Djaniny | 6 | 35 | 0.17 | 2012–present | |
10 | Cafú | 5 | 15 | 0.33 | 2003–2007 |
Gilson Tavares | 5 | 15 | 0.33 | 2020–present | |
Dady | 5 | 23 | 0.22 | 2005–2012 | |
Odaïr Fortes | 5 | 28 | 0.18 | 2010–2016 | |
Jamiro Monteiro | 5 | 39 | 0.13 | 2016–present | |
Babanco | 5 | 62 | 0.08 | 2007–2019 |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1930 to 1974 | Part of Portugal | Part of Portugal | ||||||||||||||
1978 and 1982 | Not a member of FIFA | Not a member of FIFA | ||||||||||||||
1986 to 1998 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
2002 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
2006 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 16 | ||||||||||
2010 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||
2014 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | ||||||||||
2018 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 13 | ||||||||||
2022 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | ||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
2030 | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | — | 0/10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 18 | 6 | 20 | 46 | 56 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations | Africa Cup of Nations qualification | |||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |||||
1957 | Part of Portugal | Part of Portugal | ||||||||||||||||||
1959 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1962 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1963 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1965 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1968 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1970 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1972 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1974 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1976 | Not a member of CAF | Not a member of CAF | ||||||||||||||||||
1978 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1994 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||
1996 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||
1998 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||
2000 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||||||
2002 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
2004 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
2006 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 16 | ||||||||||||||
2008 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
2010 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
2012 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | |||||
2015 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | |||||
2017 | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 7 | |||||||||||||
2019 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
2021 | Round of 16 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Squad | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 3 | |||||
2023 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 6 | |||||
2025 | Did not qualify | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||
2027 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||
2029 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 4/34 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 14 | 12 | — | 81 | 33 | 15 | 33 | 90 | 94 |
Honours
Regional
- Amílcar Cabral Cup
- Champions (1): 2000
- Runners-up (1): 2007
- Third place (1): 1995
Others
- Lusophony Games
- Gold medal (1): 2009
- Bronze medal (1): 2006
Friendly
- FIFA Series: Saudi Arabia
- Champions (1): 2024
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Cabo Verde para niños