What happened: Moments of the Cape Verde national team returning to their homeland after World Cup elimination.
Fans flocked to welcome the "Cape Verde national team" back home after their impressive performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the Cape Verde national team's sensational achievement of reaching the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, they were narrowly eliminated after a hard-fought 2-3 loss to Argentina in extra time.
Recently, the Cape Verde players have safely returned home, greeted by a large crowd of fans at the airport in Praia, where the players rode on a parade vehicle, signing autographs and interacting warmly with supporters.
Bubista, Cape Verde's head coach, told the press after the plane landed, “We showed that our World Cup qualification was not due to luck. We demonstrated hard work and perseverance, and we leave the United States with pride.”
Meanwhile, 12-year-old fan Ivan Goncalves, one of those welcoming the team, said, “I was especially watching Sidney Lopes Cabral because the goal he scored against Argentina was truly amazing.”
Antonio Duarte, Cape Verde’s Minister of Culture and Sports, praised this achievement as “reinforcing Cape Verde’s status as a great nation.”
Cape Verde played a total of 4 matches in their first-ever World Cup appearance without losing in regular time, drawing against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, then drawing 1-1 with Argentina in 90 minutes before losing in extra time, earning admiration worldwide.
