The national team has been lauded by President José Maria Neves for uniting the nation and its diaspora during its recent competition appearance.
Cabo Verde football team to receive highest state honour
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President José Maria Neves has announced that the Cabo Verde football team, affectionately known as the “Blue Sharks,” will be awarded the Amílcar Cabral Medal, the country’s highest state honour, following their historic appearance at the 2026 World Cup.
According to a Portuguese media report, the announcement was made during a reception ceremony held in Praia, where the president emphasised that the team’s achievements transcended mere sport. Addressing the gathering, Mr Neves reflected on the difficult history of Cabo Verdean football, noting that the Cabo Verde football team had risen from years of financial, logistical, and structural adversity to compete alongside the world’s elite.
[See more: Cabo Verde’s World Cup performance celebrated despite exit]
According to Neves, the Cabo Verde football team has projected a renewed image of the Atlantic archipelago globally, representing courage and resilience. He credited the squad with uniting the nation and its diaspora, demonstrating the ability of a small island state to assert itself on the international stage.
The Amílcar Cabral Medal, which is named after the founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde, is reserved for those who have rendered exceptional service to the nation.
Cabo Verde football team: World Cup folklore
Cabo Verde’s World Cup run itself was the stuff of sporting folklore. Making their tournament debut, the Blue Sharks navigated a group containing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia without a single defeat, drawing all three matches and finishing second in Group H to book a place in the round of 32.
They held 2010 champions Spain to a 0-0 stalemate in Atlanta, fought back for a 2-2 draw against Uruguay in Miami to score their first-ever World Cup goals, and then secured a disciplined 0-0 against Saudi Arabia in Houston.
That set up a knockout clash with reigning champions Argentina, where the Cabo Verde football team twice came from behind in an eventual 3-2 extra-time defeat that many observers called one of the tournament’s great underdog performances.
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, emerged as a star, making a string of crucial saves against Spain and Argentina and amassing millions of new social-media followers as the Blue Sharks’ story captured imaginations far beyond the Atlantic islands.
Further recognition for the Cabo Verde football team has been proposed by Prime Minister Francisco Carvalho, who has suggested the introduction of a new national holiday, “Blue Sharks Day,” to be observed annually on 3 July. Local tributes have also commenced, with the municipality of São Miguel on Santiago island inaugurating two new streets – Vozinha Street and Blue Shark Street – in recognition of the team’s historic performance.
