Cabo Verde earns historic draw against Spain in World Cup debut

Cabo Verde secured a notable 0-0 draw against Spain in their first-ever World Cup match on June 16, 2026. This result is a significant achievement for the nation, which has a population of just under 500,000. Key to the performance was goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, who made seven crucial saves and became the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on World Cup debut. His impactful play has made him a national hero and garnered widespread attention on social media. Cabo Verde, despite being in a challenging group with teams like Cameroon, showcased their potential on the world stage.

• 12:13 AMCBS Sports — Meet Cabo Verde, World Cup darlings: Recruiting on LinkedIn, a 40-year-old GK and a belief in themselves