World Cup
Cape Verde Islands
Competition: Coupe du Monde | Active season: 2026
Spain
vs
Cape Verde Islands
15 Jun 2026 · 18:00
Upcoming matches
Uruguay
vs
Cape Verde Islands
22 Jun 2026 · 00:00
Upcoming matches
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Saudi Arabia
27 Jun 2026 · 02:00
Upcoming matches
Footlab Data
Group H
Group H
Group standings
| # | Team | MJ | G | N | P | Diff | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Cape Verde Islands | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Footlab Data
Statistiques détaillées
Footlab Data
Footlab profile
Offensive potential
47,5/100
Stable
Defensive stability
57,5/100
Stable
Game control
44,8/100
Stable
Regularity
55,7/100
Stable
Mental resilience
38,3/100
Building
Footlab Data
Cape Verde National Football Team - 2026 World Cup Profile
Cape Verde World Cup 2026: Data Analysis, Strengths, and Projection
Cape Verde achieves one of the most inspiring rises in world football by qualifying for its very first World Cup in 2026. A true "underdog" turned continental giant, the Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) showcase a "Technical Pragmatism and Cohesion" profile. This is a team that compensates for its limited squad depth with European-style tactical discipline and optimal use of its diaspora playing in top secondary leagues (Portugal, Netherlands).
Global Positioning
Cape Verde is positioned as the "Tactical Headache" of the African zone. They are the side that best maximizes limited resources, capable of neutralizing world-class attacks through superior positional intelligence.
- Status: Ambitious Underdog / World Cup Debutant
- Projection: Group Stage (Objective: cause an upset)
- Risk: Critical dependency on the fitness of 3-4 key pillars
Footlab Profile
| Criteria | Level |
|---|---|
| Attacking Potential | Medium (Counter-attacks) |
| Defensive Stability | High (Zonal discipline) |
| Game Control | Moderate (40-45% possession) |
| Consistency | Very High |
| Collective Resilience | Exceptional |
Structural Strengths
- European Tactical Discipline: A highly rigorous defensive organization with tight lines, inherited from the players' development in Europe.
- Set-Piece Efficiency: Dead-ball situations are a major weapon, representing a significant portion of their xG (Expected Goals).
- Endurance and Intensity: Physical fitness that allows for selective pressing and rapid tracking back over 90 minutes.
- Mental Solidity: A very tight-knit group, used to playing without pressure and capable of withstanding prolonged sieges.
Structural Weaknesses
- Clinical Finishing: Lack of a "poacher" upfront to convert the few clear chances generated (8-12 shots/match).
- Physical Power Deficit: Can be troubled by nations imposing a raw physical challenge (aerial play and direct impact).
- Squad Depth: A significant quality gap between starters and substitutes, limiting options late in the tournament.
- Positional Creativity: Difficulty building complex attacks if the opponent refuses to commit and leaves the ball to Cape Verde.
Tactical Brief
Cape Verde primarily operates in a very compact 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1:
- Offensive Phase: Utilizing wing speed (15-20 crosses per match) and rapid counter-projections.
- Defensive Phase: Mid-to-low block aimed at reducing gaps and triggering interceptions (12-16 per match).
- Identity: "Intelligent" football prioritizing collective structure over raw individual talent.
Match Typology
- Vs Weaker Teams: Difficulty dictating tempo, often resulting in draws or matches decided by a minor detail.
- Vs Structured Blocks: Tactical patience battles where Cape Verde excels at frustrating the opponent.
- Vs Top Tier Teams: Ideal "Banana Skin" profile; capable of holding a heroic 0-0 or stinging on their only chance.
2026 Key Performance Factors
Cape Verde's success will primarily depend on:
- their ability to not concede an early goal (their strength lies in opposition doubt)
- the efficiency of their wingers in one-on-one transition moments
- the emotional management of their very first World Cup appearance
Footlab Projection
Cape Verde possesses a Round of 16 ceiling. If they land in a group with favorites who "play," their disciplined counter-attacking profile could yield a historic upset.
Projection: Group Stage (Challenger for the 3rd place qualifying spot)
Optimal Scenario: Reaching the Round of 16 as the tournament's most surprising nation.
Betting Insights
- ✔️ High potential in "Under 2.5 Goals" markets
- ✔️ Interesting for team "Total Interceptions"
- ⚠️ High risk on "Handicap Win" bets
- ✔️ Value in "Over 4.5 Corners" for Cape Verde (due to wing play focus)
Conclusion
Cape Verde is proof that organization beats raw talent. In 2026, the Blue Sharks won't be there just to make up the numbers, but to validate ten years of methodical progression on the international stage.
Unlock the Footlab analysis for Cape Verde Islands
The World Cup Pass opens match analysis, the comparator, the Expert Match Center and the dedicated dashboard to follow Cape Verde Islands throughout the World Cup.
- Analytical tournament tracking with a simulated starting capital of EUR 100.
- Access to groups, results and bracket as soon as they are available.
- Comparator and dedicated modules reserved for pass holders.
Discover World Cup Pass
Comparator
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International history
Matches from the last 4 years
Egypt
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 1
Iran
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Eswatini
3 - 0
Libya
vs
Cape Verde Islands
3 - 3
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Cameroon
1 - 0
Mauritius
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 2
Georgia
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 1
Malaysia
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 3
Malaysia
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 1
Angola
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 2
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Mauritius
1 - 0
Mauritania
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Egypt
1 - 1
Botswana
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Botswana
0 - 1
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Mauritania
2 - 0
Egypt
vs
Cape Verde Islands
3 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Libya
1 - 0
Cameroon
vs
Cape Verde Islands
4 - 1
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Equatorial Guinea
1 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Guyana
1 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
South Africa
0 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Mauritania
1 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Egypt
2 - 2
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Mozambique
3 - 0
Ghana
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 2
Tunisia
vs
Cape Verde Islands
2 - 0
Eswatini
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 2
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Angola
0 - 0
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Comoros
1 - 2
Algeria
vs
Cape Verde Islands
5 - 1
Togo
vs
Cape Verde Islands
3 - 2
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Burkina Faso
3 - 1
Morocco
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 0
Eswatini
vs
Cape Verde Islands
0 - 1
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Eswatini
0 - 0
Bahrain
vs
Cape Verde Islands
1 - 2
Cape Verde Islands
vs
Togo
2 - 0
Burkina Faso
vs
Cape Verde Islands
2 - 0