Not just soccer: What Cape Verde's World Cup run truly means | Opinion
I still get goosebumps thinking about that moment.
On June 21, my son and I traveled to Miami to support Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde as the country is known in our native language, as our nation's soccer team faced Uruguay in the FIFA World Cup. We never imagined we would witness Cabo Verde's first ever World Cup goal ‒ or leave with an even greater appreciation for what our country means to the world.
The stadium was electric. Wearing my Cabo Verde jersey, I was surrounded by thousands of fans from around the world. Sitting beside us was a couple wearing Uruguay jerseys. Before kickoff, they told me they were fans of Cabo Verde's legendary goalkeeper, Vozinha. They handed me their phone so I could help them find his Instagram page. Throughout the match, they cheered his name and even tried to sing along with us.
Then, just seconds before Cabo Verde scored its first goal, the gentleman turned to me and confidently said: "Cabo Verde is going to score now." The very next second, the ball found the back of the net. He jumped to his feet, turned toward me and shouted: "I told you!" We celebrated together as though we had supported the same team our entire lives.
After the match ended in a 2-2 draw, his wife reached into her bag, pulled out a dark blue shirt ‒ the color of Cabo Verde ‒ and put it on over the light blue shirt she had been wearing. Then the couple asked if we could take a picture together.
That was the moment I realized this journey was about much more than soccer.
Circumstances don't dictate the size of our dreams
I was born on the island of Santo Antão and raised on the island of Santiago, home to Cabo Verde's capital city of Praia. Cabo Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands (nine inhabited) off the west coast of Africa. Portuguese is our official language, but Cape Verdean Creole is the language of our hearts and culture.
Like many Cape Verdeans, I immigrated to the United States in search of greater opportunities while carrying my homeland with me.
I work as a financial coach, helping individuals and families build stronger financial futures. Perhaps that is why this World Cup has touched me so deeply. I don't just see soccer. I see what happens when people believe in a vision, invest in their futures and refuse to let the size of their circumstances define the size of their dreams.
Home to slightly more than half a million people, Cabo Verde is one of Africa's smallest nations. Yet our dreams have never been measured by the size of our islands. Our people have shown that greatness is not determined by population or geography, but by resilience, faith and the courage to dream beyond what others believe is possible.
For generations, our ancestors endured droughts, famine, economic hardship and the isolation of living in the Atlantic Ocean. Yet they never surrendered their faith, resilience or hope. Those values became our inheritance and continue to define who we are today.
That same spirit is what the world is witnessing now.
World Cup put Cape Verde in the spotlight
Before this World Cup, many people had never heard of Cabo Verde. Today, millions more people know our name. They are discovering our culture, our music, our hospitality and the remarkable resilience of our people.
This moment reaches far beyond soccer. Every broadcast, news story and social media post creates an opportunity for someone to discover Cabo Verde. Greater global visibility has the potential to strengthen tourism, attract investment, encourage entrepreneurship and inspire future generations.
It shines a light on a country whose greatest resource has always been its people.
Watching supporters from another nation embrace Cabo Verde reminded me that respect is earned not simply through winning, but through humility, perseverance and heart.
Living in the United States, I have watched the Cape Verdean diaspora unite in extraordinary ways throughout this tournament. Families gather to watch. Friends call relatives across continents. Complete strangers embrace after every goal.
For a few unforgettable weeks, political differences disappear, generations celebrate together and our shared identity becomes stronger than ever.
Lasting effects from tournament success
Whether Cabo Verde wins the World Cup or not, history has already been made.
As a financial coach, I believe moments like this can become turning points. Global recognition brings more than applause. It brings opportunity.
It reminds those of us living abroad that we are not only ambassadors of our culture, but also investors in our country's future. Every business we build, every child we educate, every visitor we welcome and every opportunity we create strengthens Cabo Verde long after the final whistle.
For one unforgettable day in Miami, the world celebrated with Cabo Verde. My hope is that long after the cheers fade, the world will continue discovering the people, the culture and the promise of the nation I will always call home.
Adalgisa Neves is a financial coach, community leader and former law enforcement professional originally from Cabo Verde. She lives in Rhode Island, helping individuals and families build financial independence, while remaining actively involved in the Cape Verdean community.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Not just soccer: What Cape Verde's World Cup run truly means | Opinion
Reporting by Adalgisa Neves, Opinion contributor / USA TODAY
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Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 10:35 AM.