Cape Verde knows its opponents for the 2026 World Cup after Friday's draw
The FIFA draw held today, Friday, December 5, placed Cape Verde in the group with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia for the 2026 World Cup. The team, which was in Pot 4, will have one of the toughest groups in the competition. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cape Verde is experiencing a historic moment with its first participation in a World Cup.
The FIFA draw for the 2026 World Cup - held today, Friday, December 5 - finally defined Cape Verde's path to its historic first appearance in a World Cup final stage. The national team was placed in Pot 4, along with Jordan, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, four European places still to be decided in March and two teams from the international play-offs.
The verdict of the draw: Cape Verde is in the group with Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay - one of the most competitive groups in the competition.
A tough group, but full of opportunities
On the other side will be three teams with enormous footballing weight:
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Spain, world champions in 2010 and always contenders for the title.
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Uruguay, two-time champions and historically one of the most combative teams in World Cups.
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Saudi Arabia, who return to the World Cup with a rebuilding project.
For Cape Verde, this is a fiery test, but also a historic moment at a time when the country continues to add to its achievements on the international stage - remember that this year the women's national team won a place in the CAN Women's Championship for the first time, a milestone that reinforces the rise of national soccer.
World Cup kicks off on June 11
The competition will take place between June 11 and July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cape Verde are expected to play most or all of their matches in the USA, given the logistics of the schedule and the presence of European and South American teams in the same group.
The detailed schedule of matches will be released by FIFA in the coming weeks.
Initial reactions
Within the Cape Verdean soccer community, the dominant feeling is one of pride and ambition. The Federation stressed that facing giants "is part of the greatness of being at a World Cup" and that the team will have "respect for everyone, fear of no one".
Now, with the group defined, Cape Verde officially begins preparing for the greatest adventure in its sporting history - and the entire nation goes into dream mode.
