Black Excellence: African Teams in the World Cup
It’s not just Cape Verde: African soccer is having a World Cup moment
HOUSTON — Cape Verde, the surprise star of the 2026 World Cup, is having a moment. A big moment. The team has advanced to the knockout round.
This is the first World Cup for the small island nation, and yet, the squad has managed to hold its own against soccer powerhouses like Spain and Uruguay. And it’s not just Cape Verde: African teams are playing big in this year’s tournament, against soccer legends that are performing unevenly.