The nation of Cape Verde has achieved an historic milestone in football, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history after securing a victory against Eswatini in Praia on October 13.
This extraordinary achievement marks a surreal turn for the country’s football program, a story perfectly embodied by the journey of team captain Roberto “Pico” Lopes.
Lopes, a Dublin-born defender who currently captains Shamrock Rovers, provided an exclusive interview to Sky Sports, reflecting on his path from being a part-time footballer who worked as a mortgage advisor at a bank until 2017, to becoming a national hero.
Lopes, who was born to an Irish mother and a Cape Verdean father, revealed the surprising way his international career began: he replied to a message from then-Cape Verde manager Rui Aguas on LinkedIn. He humorously admitted he was initially “very paranoid” due to prank calls, but stated: “I swallowed my pride and, thankfully, I did get in touch just in time.”
The defender emphasized the significance of the qualification, calling it “the stuff of dreams.”
“I know that’s thrown about a lot, but anyone who has that aspiration of being a footballer, there’s probably one tournament that everyone would love to play in – it’s the World Cup,” Lopes said. “It’s a dream come true and I’ll talk about it to anyone who listens for the rest of my life!”
Cape Verde, currently ranked 70th in the FIFA rankings, built momentum from their quarter-final run in AFCON 2023. Their qualification was virtually sealed following a crucial 1-0 win over 52nd-ranked Cameroon in September, a match that saw the island nation give every citizen a half-day off, resulting in the biggest attendance the country has ever recorded. The official draw for the World Cup group stages will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025.
What's Your Reaction?
Leave your vote
