Cape Verde: Tiny nation, massive World Cup dream

Cape Verde: Tiny nation, massive World Cup dream Updated May 10, 20266:00 AM ET Originally published May 10, 20266:00 AM ET By  Ricci Shryock Praia, Cape Verde (April 9, 2026) — Pedro Bettencourt, president of the country's prestigious youth football training school known by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he has seen a shift in young players since the national team's recent success. Here, players prepare for a training session. Ricci Shryock for NPR hide caption toggle caption Ricci Shryock for NPR PRAIA—Cape Verde may be small, but its soccer World Cup dream is huge. With just over half a million people, it's one of the tiniest countries ever to qualify for the tournament. From the volcanic islands of the Atlantic, the team—known as the Blue Sharks—are chasing history. This summer, they'll play in the World Cup for the first time ever—one of the smallest nations by population to make it. The island nation off the coast of West Africa isn't just showing up at this summer's World Cup—it's competing with ambition far bigger than its geography suggests. Sponsor Message After a 3–0 win over Eswatini last year secured their spot, the country erupted in celebration. Streets filled with cheering fans. Strangers hugged. Parties went on late into the night. Pedro Bettencourt, president of the country's prestigious youth football training school known by its Portuguese acronym EPIF, says he's seen a change in young players since the national team's success. Here young players prepare for a practice. Ricci Shryock for NPR hide caption toggle caption Ricci Shryock for NPR That victory—and the excitement it sparked—has changed the way Cape Verdeans see soccer—or football, as they call it here. What was once street play and schoolyard competition now carries the weight of a national dream. Pedro Bettencourt leads Escola de Preparação Integral de Futebol (EPIF), one of Cape Verde's most prestigious youth soccer academies. He says qualification has transformed how young pla...