Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes has become the face of a historic football achievement for his nation. The 35-year-old forward, who currently plays for Turkish second division side Igdir, led the Blue Sharks to a decisive 3-0 victory over Eswatini last week. This win secured Cape Verde’s first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026....Click to Read More >>➤
The streets of the capital, Praia, erupted in celebration, a testament to a dream realized. For Mendes, the moment remains surreal. “Honestly, I still can’t believe what we’ve achieved,” he confessed in an interview with AFP. He recalled childhood dreams of watching legendary teams like Ronaldo’s Brazil, never fully believing his small island nation would share that global stage.
Cape Verde’s World Cup qualification is no Cinderella story. It is the culmination of years of consistent growth and impressive performances on the continental stage. The team has systematically defied expectations, proving their quality against some of Africa’s traditional powerhouses.
A Legacy of Defying Expectations
The success of Ryan Mendes and his squad is built on a solid foundation. The national team, which leverages its deep connections to its Portuguese colonial past for player recruitment, has been a rising force in African football.
At the most recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), they delivered a stunning performance. Cape Verde topped a difficult group that included football giants Ghana. Their impressive run only ended in the quarter-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by South Africa in a penalty shootout.
Their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign further cemented their status. Once again, they finished at the top of their group, this time finishing ahead of the once-mighty Cameroon. This consistent excellence against established opponents shows their qualification is a result of sustained quality, not luck.
“We have taken part in four African Cup of Nations tournaments and we were also very close to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup,” Mendes stated, reflecting on the team’s journey. “A lot has been achieved over the years. And today, we can say that this is the logical outcome.”
A Nation’s Joy and a Captain’s Pride
Behind the level-headed analysis lies a wave of national euphoria. The qualification has united the archipelago, both at home and across its widespread diaspora. Mendes described the celebratory scenes as something unprecedented and profoundly moving.
“What we experienced on Monday at home was something we had never seen before,” he said. “It was magnificent, it was completely crazy. Everyone is so happy, the whole nation… Just talking about it gives me goosebumps.”
With a population of approximately 525,000, Cape Verde is set to become a notable underdog at the tournament. They will be the second least populous nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, after Iceland, and the smallest ever in terms of land area.
Looking Ahead: More Than Just Participants
As the world begins to learn the name Ryan Mendes, the captain is already setting his sights on the next goal. He is adamant that Cape Verde will not travel to the 2026 World Cup simply to make up the numbers.
“One thing’s for sure: we’re not going there just to play three games and come home,” Mendes declared with determination. “We don’t know our group yet but we want to make a good impression and play good football because that’s what we love most.”
He emphasized the team’s desire to control their own narrative on the world’s biggest sporting stage. “We want to live our story and write it ourselves,” Mendes said. “I hope it will be even better than our qualification.” The journey for Ryan Mendes and the Cape Verde national team is far from over; it is just beginning on a global scale. ...Click to Read More >>➤
