Cape Verde

40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, a 2026 World Cup star, faces a complex transfer situation. Initially agreeing to join Chilean club Colo-Colo, his arrival has been delayed by visa issues, personal matters, and alleged unmet salary promises. Mexican club Querétaro offered a $1 million deal, while Moroccan club Renaissance de Berkane, with national team coach Bubista, is also pursuing him. Despite reports of his departure to Chile, the deal remains uncertain, with Colo-Colo amending league rules to allow his nickname on jerseys.

17 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 8, 06:13 PM UTC

Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha, who gained global fame at the 2026 World Cup for leading his team to a historic draw against Spain and reaching the knockout stage, has accepted a contract offer from Chilean first division giants Colo-Colo. The 40-year-old free agent, with 29 million Instagram followers, chose Colo-Colo over Inter Miami. Reports vary on contract length (six to 18 months), but a verbal agreement has been reached, pending final formalities and a medical.

26 reports · 9 sources · Updated Jul 30, 02:37 AM UTC

Cape Verde national team goalkeeper Vozinha has been featured as the star of a promotional video for the new Spider-Man movie, which premieres in theaters today. The video, shared on the goalkeeper's social media accounts in collaboration with Spider Man and Sony Pictures Brasil, was filmed in Cape Verde and includes several references to the goalkeeper's home country. Vozinha lends both his face and voice to the advertisement, marking a unique cross-promotion between the superhero franchise and the African island nation's football culture.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 07:00 PM UTC

Ivanildo Fernandes, a Cape Verdean international center-back for Nacional, was not used in the team's training session despite recovering from an injury that sidelined him for the entire previous season. Fernandes joined Nacional in January 2025 from Al Ittihad Kalba and has a contract until June 2027. He only played a few minutes in a pre-season friendly against AD Machico on July 11. Coach João Gião currently has three center-backs available, with Léo Santos and Zé Vítor likely starters, along with young Francisco Gonçalves. Witi Quembo, another player who saw no minutes during training camp, has been transferred to Armenian club Pyunik. Brazilian defender Ulisses Wilson remains injured and is expected to return in October. Fernandes has yet to play an official minute for Nacional, and it remains unclear if he will debut soon. The team held two closed-door training sessions today and will have another tomorrow.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 05:30 PM UTC

Paulo Murta, coach of Portuguese long-distance runner Etson Barros, has emphasized that the priority is the athlete's health, autonomy, and quality of life following a severe traffic accident on April 16. Barros, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and was placed in an induced coma, left the hospital on Monday after three months to begin motor, nutritional, and sensory rehabilitation at a specialized clinic in the Algarve. Murta expressed optimism about Barros' recovery, noting it will be a long and demanding process requiring daily work and dedication. The 25-year-old athlete, born in Cape Verde and holding dual nationality, holds the Portuguese record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (8:12.19) and has represented Portugal at multiple international championships, including the Tokyo 2025 World Championships and European Championships in Munich 2022 and Rome 2024.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 04:55 PM UTC

Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral, a 23-year-old Trabzonspor full-back, scored a stunning equalizer against Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, which was voted the tournament's best goal on FIFA's website. The goal, a powerful curling strike from the edge of the box, beat 11 other finalists including goals by Mbappé and Messi. Though Cape Verde lost 3-2 in extra time, Cabral's award highlights their historic run and inspires Cape Verdean youth.

9 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 28, 12:37 AM UTC

Spain won its second FIFA World Cup in 2026, blending its traditional possession-based philosophy with a more direct, adaptable style. The young squad, coached by Luis de la Fuente, showcased aggressive defense and precise attack throughout the tournament. After a frustrating goalless draw against Cape Verde in the opener, Spain defeated Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France before dominating Argentina in the final. The team evolved beyond classic tiki-taka, embracing vertical attacks and physical defensive battles while maintaining technical excellence. This victory ended a 16-year drought since Spain's 2010 World Cup win and silenced critics who questioned whether the nation could replicate its golden generation's success. The article contrasts the 2026 team with the legendary 2010 squad led by Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets, noting that the new generation respected history without being trapped by it.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 01:02 AM UTC

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made 27 saves in a historic 0-0 draw against Spain, earning his country its first World Cup point. His performance sparked a viral social media campaign by Brazilian streamer CazeTV, causing his Instagram followers to surge from 50,000 to over 5 million within hours. The sudden fame has led to speculation about lucrative financial opportunities for the veteran player.

37 reports · 14 sources · Updated Jul 25, 01:08 PM UTC

Jovane Cabral, a Cape Verdean winger formerly of Sporting CP and Estrela da Amadora, was officially presented as a new signing for Brazilian club Grêmio on Friday. He will be coached by Luís Castro. Cabral, who participated in the 2026 World Cup with Cape Verde, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the historic Porto Alegre club, citing past stars like Ronaldinho, Luis Suárez, and Luan. He will wear the number 77 jersey. Cabral described himself as a team player who finishes well, fights for every ball, and has a good shot. He arrived three days ago and has started training, leaving his potential debut on Sunday against Fluminense to the coach's decision.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 10:21 PM UTC

The Group of Copenhagen, an independent anti-match-fixing body under the Council of Europe, issued seven "yellow notices" about potential betting irregularities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Flagged incidents include a $4.8 million Polymarket bet on Spain not beating Cape Verde, a red card to South Africa’s Themba Zwane, and a suspicious Polymarket market opened on US striker Folarin Balogun’s availability after his red card. FIFA’s Integrity Task Force reported no suspicious activity, but the Group has requested clarification. Nearly $240 billion was bet on the tournament.

9 reports · 7 sources · Updated Jul 24, 11:14 AM UTC

A forum post on RedCafe.net discusses the Spain national football team squad, listing players such as Unai Simon, David Raya, Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams, along with their respective clubs. The squad includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Additionally, the post outlines Spain's Group H matches for an upcoming tournament: against Cape Verde on June 15, Saudi Arabia on June 21, and Uruguay on June 27, all at 17:00 or 01:00. The post is dated May 29, 2026, and appears to be a fan discussion of the team selection and schedule.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 07:25 AM UTC

FIFA announced the 2026 World Cup Best XI lineup, determined by a global fan vote, which includes Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. In response, Vozinha took to social media to express gratitude to all who voted for him, stating that the honor belongs to the fans as well and that together they made history. The announcement was made on July 24, as reported by Hupu soccer, citing Instagram as the source.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:59 PM UTC

Brazilian football club Gremio, managed by Luis Castro, has officially signed 28-year-old left winger Jovane Cabral on a contract running until 2027. Cabral, who represented Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joins the Porto Alegre-based club. The announcement was made by Portuguese sports newspaper Record on July 23, 2026. The article also briefly mentions other Brazilian football news, including Vasco da Gama's draw against Independiente Medellin in the Copa Sudamericana, Cruzeiro's victory over Internacional in the Brasileirao, and Flamengo's thrashing of Chapecoense.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 04:25 PM UTC

Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, the official World Cup account released a commemorative poster titled 'Those Memories 💭'. The poster prominently features Spain captain Rodri lifting the World Cup trophy at its center. Other notable players positioned near the center include Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Kevin De Bruyne, Vinícius Júnior, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham. At the very bottom of the poster is Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who is recognized for his outstanding performance during the tournament. The poster was shared via the official World Cup account on X (formerly Twitter) and reported by Hupu Football News.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 10:55 AM UTC

During a state visit to Cape Verde, Portuguese President António José Seguro was surprised by Cape Verde national football team coach Bubista, who gifted him a jersey of goalkeeper Vozinha, a star of the Blue Sharks in the 2026 World Cup. Seguro expressed delight, calling the gesture 'extraordinary' and 'true morabeza' (Cape Verdean hospitality). The encounter occurred at a book fair in Cidade Velha, where Seguro praised the team's World Cup performance, including a draw with Spain and a narrow loss to Argentina. Bubista attributed the team's success to unity and hard work, reflecting Cape Verdean identity. The visit also included a joint press conference with Cape Verdean President José Maria Neves, visits to a hemodialysis center and Techpark, and a reception for the Portuguese community. Seguro later traveled to Boa Vista for the V International Conference on the Ocean Decade.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:27 PM UTC

Fans have voted for the 2026 World Cup Team of the Tournament, featuring Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha as a surprise selection despite his team's early exit. The team includes three players from champions Spain, including Golden Ball winner Rodri, and three from France. Argentina, the runner-up, has two representatives, including Lionel Messi (Silver Ball winner). Kylian Mbappé won the Bronze Ball and Golden Boot with 10 goals. The defense consists of Spanish full-backs Porro and Cucurella, Argentine Lisandro Martínez, and Frenchman Upamecano. The midfield includes Rodri, Frenchman Olise, and Englishman Bellingham. The attack features Messi, Mbappé, and Norwegian Erling Haaland. Portugal's Nuno Mendes was a candidate but not selected. The 2026 World Cup was the first expanded to 48 teams, held in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:52 PM UTC

A forum post on RedCafe.net lists the Spain national football team squad for an upcoming tournament, likely the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The squad includes goalkeepers Unai Simon, David Raya, and Joan Garcia; defenders Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Marc Cucurella, and Alejandro Grimaldo; midfielders Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri, Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, and Alex Baena; and forwards Yeremy Pino, Victor Munoz, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Nico Williams, and Borja Iglesias. Spain is placed in Group H with matches scheduled: June 15th vs Cape Verde, June 21st vs Saudi Arabia, and June 27th vs Uruguay.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:40 PM UTC

Seven writers from The Athletic each selected their best XI from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the constraint of a maximum of two players per nation. The article discusses the selections, including notable omissions like Harry Kane and Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, and highlights left-field picks such as Julian Quinones and Youri Tielemans. Writers provide reasoning for their choices, with Oliver Kay opting for Spain's Rodri and Pau Cubarsi, Cape Verde's Diney, and Egypt's Mostafa Shobeir in goal. Mark Carey offers a data-led approach, selecting Switzerland's Gregor Kobel, Colombia's Daniel Munoz, and England's Djed Spence. The piece also references FIFA's official 'Dream XI' featuring three Spanish players, three French, two Argentinians, and one each from England, Norway, and Cape Verde.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:20 PM UTC

A BILD Sport reporter who watched all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico presents his top 10 most memorable games. The list includes Algeria vs Austria (3-3 with late drama), Argentina vs England (2-1 semifinal comeback), England vs Croatia (4-2 goal fest), Netherlands vs Morocco (3-4 extra-time thriller), Mexico vs England (2-3 with red card and penalties), and Argentina vs Cape Verde (3-2 extra-time fairytale). The reporter argues that despite fears about the expanded 48-team format, the tournament delivered historic matches with emotional moments, including Cody Gakpo's tears for his unborn son and Harry Kane's dejection after semifinal elimination.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:17 PM UTC

The Guardian analyzes the first 48-team men's World Cup, won by Spain in North America after 104 games over five-and-a-half weeks. The expansion brought new faces like Cape Verde and Curaçao, giving more nations knockout football opportunities. However, it also widened the gap between top and bottom teams, with five group matches featuring ranking gaps over 65 places. Only Uruguay among major teams suffered an early exit, while Iraq (-11) had the worst goal difference. The article notes both Maradona's enthusiasm for global inclusion and Löw's concerns about diluted quality were partially validated, and questions whether a 64-team format is next.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 12:26 PM UTC

On July 22, the statistics website Squawka released a ranking of goalkeepers with the most saves in the 2026 World Cup. Paraguay's Orlando Gil tops the list with 23 saves. Curaçao's Eloy Room, Switzerland's Gregor Kobel, and Argentina's Emiliano Martínez are tied for second with 20 saves each. Portugal's Diogo Costa follows with 19 saves. The top 10 also includes goalkeepers from Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, and Iran. The data was sourced from X (formerly Twitter) and published by Hupu Football News.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:20 AM UTC

On July 22, the famous statistics website Squawka released a ranking of goalkeepers with the most clean sheets at the 2026 World Cup. Spain's Unai Simón tops the list with 7 clean sheets, far ahead of the rest. Colombia's Camilo Vargas and France's Mike Maignan are tied for second with 4 each. Mexico's Raúl Rangel has 3, while Matt Freese (USA), Yahia Fofana (Ivory Coast), Patrick Beach (Australia), Vozinha (Cape Verde), Alisson Becker (Brazil), and Maxime Crépeau (Canada) each have 2. The data was sourced from X and published by Hupu Soccer.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:02 AM UTC

Portuguese President António José Seguro issued a heartfelt condolence note following the death of singer Luís Represas at age 69. Represas, a former member of the iconic band Trovante, was set to celebrate 50 years of his career in 2026. Seguro, currently on a state visit to Cape Verde, described Represas as a friend and one of Portugal's greatest artists, whose songs 'belong to eternity.' The president recalled a recent concert at the Coliseu on March 21st and expressed personal grief, stating 'Today I lost a friend.' The official statement emphasized that Represas' voice transformed nostalgia into hope and that his music will remain a living presence for generations of Portuguese people.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 09:09 AM UTC

The Guardian's football team provides their final verdicts on the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the best games, goals, and personal highlights. Key matches include Paraguay 1-1 Germany (won by Paraguay in a penalty shootout), Algeria 3-3 Austria (a bizarre 'fever dream' match), Mexico 2-3 England at the Azteca stadium, France 4-6 England, Argentina 3-2 Egypt (featuring a Lionel Messi-inspired comeback), and Cape Verde 2-2 Uruguay. The article also mentions Erling Haaland's impact in America and the magical atmosphere of the Azteca stadium. The piece is a retrospective analysis from Guardian journalists covering the tournament's most memorable moments.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 09:01 AM UTC

According to a report by Hupu Soccer on July 22, the statistics website Squawka released a ranking of the most shots on target in a single match at the 2026 World Cup. The top spot is held by the third-place match between France and England, which recorded 20 shots on target. The list includes matches from various stages: Ecuador vs Curaçao (group stage) with 18 shots, England vs Croatia (group stage) with 16, and several matches tied at 15 shots, including Netherlands vs Sweden, France vs Sweden, and Argentina vs Cape Verde. Other notable entries include Germany vs Curaçao and Scotland vs Brazil with 14 shots each, and Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay and Morocco vs Haiti with 13 shots each. The data highlights high-attacking intensity in several games across the tournament.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:51 AM UTC

The famous statistics website Squawka has released a ranking of the most successful passes in a single match at the 2026 World Cup. The list is topped by the Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde with 1,188 successful passes. Second place is Belgium vs Senegal (Round of 32) with 1,138 passes, followed by the Final between Spain and Argentina with 1,120 passes. Other notable entries include Netherlands vs Morocco (Round of 32, 1,093 passes), Argentina vs Algeria (Group Stage, 1,067 passes), and Norway vs England (Quarterfinal, 1,061 passes). The ranking highlights possession-based playstyles and includes matches from various stages of the tournament, with Argentina appearing multiple times.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:33 AM UTC

On July 22, the statistics website Squawka released a ranking of the most shots off target (wide or missed) in a single match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The list is topped by the Round of 32 match between Belgium and Senegal, which recorded 20 off-target shots. Following are Turkey vs Paraguay and Colombia vs Portugal, each with 18 off-target shots. Other matches on the list include Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, New Zealand vs Belgium, DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, Panama vs England, Spain vs Cape Verde, Haiti vs Scotland, and Australia vs Turkey, with totals ranging from 14 to 16. The data was sourced from Squawka and published by Hupu Football News.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 08:24 AM UTC

New York City FC and the Columbus Crew resume their MLS seasons after a nearly two-month World Cup break, with USMNT teammates Matt Freese (NYCFC goalkeeper) and Max Arfsten (Crew midfielder) facing each other. Freese played four of five matches for the US in their round of 16 run, while Arfsten saw limited minutes. Both will briefly reunite as teammates in the MLS All-Star game on July 29. The Crew sold leading scorer Diego Rossi to Monterrey and added Brais Mendez, Lautaro Giaccone, and Eric Bailly (pending visas). NYCFC welcomed back midfielder James Sands from a loan to FC St. Pauli. The match also features players who faced off in the World Cup, including NYCFC's Australian defenders Kai Trewin and Aiden O'Neill, who lost to the US in the group stage.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 08:58 PM UTC

Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute after Argentina’s Enzo Fernández was sent off. Spain dominated possession and prevented Argentina from registering a single shot on target over 120 minutes. The victory gave Spain their second World Cup title, avenging Argentina’s 2022 win. Lionel Messi and Argentina struggled offensively, while Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón had a quiet night.

62 reports · 18 sources · Updated Jul 23, 01:00 PM UTC

In a column published by Bild and reposted by Hupu, German football legend Lothar Matthäus delivers a scathing assessment of Germany's performance at the 2026 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the round of 32. Matthäus argues this German team is worse than the 2018 and 2022 squads, citing unconvincing performances against Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Paraguay, and a lack of effort and mental attitude. He contrasts Germany's stagnation with Spain's growth, noting 11 Spanish players from 2022 became world champions. Matthäus also criticizes the 'Trump and Infantino show,' alleging FIFA suspended a red card for US forward Folarin Balogun after a phone call, and condemns the 'Americanization' of football, including water breaks and halftime shows. He praises fans and exciting matches, acknowledges surprise teams like Cape Verde and Congo, and expresses cautious optimism about German football's future under new coach Jürgen Klopp.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:57 PM UTC