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Cabo Verde’s FIFA World Cup run may have come to an end, but the tiny island nation has gained international recognition in its debut on the world’s largest sporting stage — a success in the eyes of many Cabo Verdeans in New Bedford.
The Blue Sharks contest against Argentina was a lesson in perseverance as the CV team matched point for point until the last few minutes of overtime. This is the fourth time during the FIFA World Cup that the Cabo Verdean underdogs gave their fans something to yell about.
Inside the Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall on Purchase Street in New Bedford, the crowd ended the game the way they started: cheering with pride and joy for their country.
The team scored twice, and defended their net fearlessly for over two hours. The team’s goalkeeper, Josimar Jose Évora Dias, also known as Vozinha, made eight saves against Argentina, including several against the soccer superstar Lionel Messi, an opponent he said he’s dreamed of going up against.
“He’ll never forget about us,” said Mandi Costa, a New Bedford resident, while pointing towards Messi on the screen.
The archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa, with a population of about 530,000 residents, is the smallest country by population to ever make the Round of 32.
More than 100 people gathered Friday evening at the Verdean Veterans hall – a venue that has hosted many Cabo Verdean events as well as the country’s past and current prime ministers and presidents. Blue Sharks fans met each save by Vozinha with whoops, hollers and stomping, cheering the offensive players on and shouting in protest when Argentina possessed the ball near their net. The scene mirrored that of the fans watching live in Miami with people waving scarves and flags.
While the game heated up on screen, the temperature heated up inside the hall.
Despite the loss, the fans spoke of their homeland and the team’s performance with pride.
“I love the heart of the team,” said Amelia Moore, who grew up in New Bedford and considers it her home. “Cape Verdeans, we’re warriors, and they showed it.”
Fans watched the game attentively at tables covered in blue cloth. They wore dark blue T-shirts, jerseys and dresses, many with the Cabo Verdean flag, matching the players on the screen and the flags on the walls. Plates of traditional Cabo Verdean cuisine of cachupa with linguiça, rice and beans were set in front of them.
The vibrant energy at the watch party, hosted by the Verdean Veterans Memorial Foundation and Cape Verdean American Veterans Association, never wavered – even after the loss. Amilton Tavares said the event and the World Cup has brought Cabo Verdeans together but also those of other cultures.
“The fact that we’re such a small nation to be on this big stage is absolutely amazing,” said Edward Figueiredo Esteves, who has family in New Bedford. “We’ve always been a proud people, proud of who we are and what we’ve accomplished, but no one knows who we are.”
World Cup journey
Prior to today’s performance, the Cabo Verdean Blue Sharks — who were ranked 67th in FIFA world rankings at the start of the tournament — had already exceeded expectations. After their World Cup debut on June 15, when they tied 0-0 with heavily favored Spain, the island-country’s underdog story erupted across the world.
They tied in their following games against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, earning them a ticket to the tournament’s knockout round.
In Cabo Verde, fans exploded in celebration — proudly displaying the country’s flag throughout the islands. Government employees had a half-day off for the game against Spain.
“I know in Cabo Verde they’re dancing all over the place even though it was 3-2,” said New Bedford resident Jeanne Costa. “I don’t think Argentina was prepared.”
Vozinha, in particular, has gone viral across social media. After the first game, his Instagram following jumped from 50,000 to 2 million followers. Now, about two and a half weeks later, just before the game against Argentina, he had 17.4 million followers.
Vozinha is reportedly weighing his options to transfer to another team, including Brazil.
Moore said she doesn’t think this will happen.
“The country and the people are giving him so much reverence,” Moore said. “He won’t have that same love anywhere else he goes.”
Many Cabo Verdeans in New Bedford didn’t know what to expect from the team coming into the tournament and felt the country’s inclusion in the tournament was already a win.
“Our entertainers have been around the world bringing Cabo Verdean music to different places, but that’s one venue at a time,” said Gary Correia, commander of the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association. “Here we have a global audience.”
Several venues also held watch parties not only in New Bedford and the South Coast, but across the United States including Los Angeles, California, Raleigh, North Carolina, and New York City. One influencer also posted a video of himself trying cachupa — a popular traditional Cabo Verdean dish — for the first time.
Some expect the attention will increase tourism and knowledge of the islands. Bel DeBarros, a lifelong New Bedford resident, said she hopes increased tourism will help the islands’ economies without overcrowding them. The country relies heavily on tourism, which makes up about 25% of its GDP.
“The world has now heard of Cape Verde and they’re going to see pictures and think, ‘Wow, what a beautiful country. Let’s go there,’” DeBarros said.
51st anniversary of independence
The Round of 32 loss comes just before the country’s 51st year of independence from Portugal, which will be celebrated on July 5. New Bedford will mark the occasion on Sunday with its annual Cabo Verdean Recognition Parade.
Cabo Verdeans from Rhode Island to California come to New Bedford to celebrate each year. Mary Ann Rogers, treasurer of the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, which organizes the event, said the parade is always exciting, but there will be even more excitement and unity this year.
“Cape Verdean islands have always had this determination, this togetherness, as a nation,” New Bedford resident Jose Fernandez said.
People at the parade will be elated this year, DeBarros said.
“The more flags we see, the more yelling and screaming we’re going to do,” she said, before adding with a laugh, “[that’s] if we still have voices by Sunday.”
So what’s next for Cabo Verde?
The team’s World Cup run is now over, but they have established themselves as a true contender. Some residents expect the Blue Sharks will be able to recruit more talent for future teams. Others say the team will be back for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Regardless of the team’s next step, they’ve made their country’s presence known across the world.
“I want everybody to come out with a positive image, a positive attitude. It’s a very vibrant culture,” Correia said. “We call it morabeza.”
Crystal Yormick is a recent graduate of Boston University and a frequent contributor to The New Bedford Light. Email her at cyormick@newbedfordlight.org.
Editor’s note: Jeanne Costa is a founder of The New Bedford Light and a member of its Board of Directors. Mandi Costa is a founder of The Light and a member of its Advisory Committee. The Light’s newsroom is scrupulously independent. Only the editors decide what to cover and what to publish. Founders, funders and board or advisory members have no influence over editorial content.