Cape Verdean Football Federation wins first international "Team Player 11+" award

The Cape Verde Football Federation (FCF) has been awarded the first international "Team Player 11+" award, a new distinction created to recognize organizations that make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of soccer. The announcement was made on May 28, 2026, and the FCF was chosen for its trajectory of institutional growth and Cape Verde's historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The trophy will be presented to the president of the FCF, Mário Semedo, in recognition of his work over recent years in consolidating Cape Verdean soccer.

According to the organizers, the award aims to highlight the role of the structures that operate beyond the pitch, valuing the work of managers, coaches, academies, analysts, investors and sports managers. The initiative was created by the Russian publication "La Gazzetta" and the Eurasian Media Group, in the context of the approach to the 2026 World Cup.

The FCF's choice was justified by the impact of Cape Verde's unprecedented qualification for a World Cup. The national team finished top of their African qualifying group, guaranteeing their presence at the tournament to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to the international jury, Cape Verde's achievement demonstrates that success in modern soccer doesn't just depend on a country's population size or financial resources. Factors such as good governance, long-term planning, player development, international cooperation and the ability to mobilize resources around a common project were highlighted.

The award featured a shortlist of organizations from different continents, including federations, academies and leading clubs. Among the nominees were the Football Association of Uzbekistan, the Brazilian club Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, academies from Argentina and Kazakhstan, as well as the Portuguese club Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

The organizers say that the "Team Player 11+" will now be awarded annually, rewarding projects that transform soccer through governance, training, infrastructure, talent management and institutional development.

For Cape Verde, the distinction represents further international recognition of a journey that culminated in the national team's first appearance at a World Cup, consolidating the country as one of the most prominent stories in African soccer in recent years.