Cape Verde: The World Cup Starts Now

Cape Verde's incredible journey, which began on June 15th with a stunning goalless draw against reigning European champions Spain, leaving the world in awe, concluded yesterday in dramatic fashion. Beyond the remarkable sporting merit—no other team had pushed the world champions to the brink quite like Cape Verde—their campaign showcased organization, previously unknown talent, and sheer hard work.

Cape Verde demonstrated that the small archipelago is far more than just an idyllic and tranquil winter holiday destination for Europeans. This World Cup could (and should) be a catalyst for similar phenomena to emerge in the near future. For that to happen, hopefully, the experience and media attention gained can be translated into improved conditions back home.

In just these Round of 16 matches, Paraguay shocked Germany, Morocco sent the Netherlands home earlier than expected, DR Congo forced Harry Kane to don his hero's cape for the umpteenth time, the United States, even with 10 men, overcame Bosnia, and Norway struggled mightily to get past Ivory Coast. In the group stage, there were even more examples of how lower-ranked teams are closing the gap on the Europeans, a gap that was once substantially wider. Certainly, factors like climate and the fact that many top teams' players are burdened with numerous club matches contribute to this convergence.

The World Cup didn't just start now, as Roberto Martínez suggested to downplay Portugal's dismal group stage, but it seems clear that some teams managed their effort in the first phase. This 48-team format, while offering a World Cup stage to many debutants, allows teams to qualify for the knockout rounds even without winning a single match. Enzo Fernández, for example, the engine around which Argentina built their glory in Qatar-2022, arrived at the tournament with 52 games for Chelsea, and by the 80th minute of the match against Cape Verde, he was already stretching.

The result has been far more unpredictable and, therefore, spectacular duels than theory might have suggested. I had significant reservations about expanding the World Cup to 48 teams, but the gamble is paying off, and I am certain that by 2030, there could be more 'Cape Verdes' emerging.