FIFA World Cup | Cape Verde’s Heroic World Cup Run Sparks Euphoric Homecoming

Thousands of fans welcomed and cheered on Cape Verdes' national soccer team as they paraded through Praia, the capital city of Mali on Sunday, following their performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team reached the World Cup round 32 and took Argentina into extra time. The "Blue Sharks" made history by qualifying for its first-ever World Cup in 2026. The tiny nation of half a million people caused a stir by remaining undefeated, notably with a draw against European champion Spain and another against Uruguay. Their performance was hailed as one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 World Cup. Cape Verde is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 600 km (373 mi) west of the coast of Senegal in West Africa, which consists of 10 main islands, including Santiago, Sal, and São Vicente.