Cape Verde dreams big before first World Cup appearance

PRAIA: Cape Verde is heading into its first-ever World Cup with growing confidence and widespread excitement, as coaches, players and supporters across the Atlantic archipelago speak of a landmark moment for the country.

With a population of about 525,000, the island nation is among the smallest countries to qualify for the tournament. In Praia, football schools have become focal points of that anticipation, with children training as enthusiasm around the national team continues to build.

At the Bola pra Frente football school, where students practised on a recent morning in late May, Silveria Nedio said the achievement had stirred belief well beyond the size of the country. Nedio, known as Nita, is president of the school and said several of its former students are now part of the World Cup squad. She also coaches Cape Verde's women's national team and said she began playing when she was six, joining boys in street games.

She said the qualification had reinforced the idea that the country could compete on a bigger stage, while also pointing to the limitations local football still faces in training resources despite what she described as strong natural ability among young players.