Roberto Lopes set to represent Cape Verde against Spain in World Cup debut
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 8:24 AM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
Roberto Lopes is expected to start for Cape Verde in their World Cup match against Spain on Monday at 17:00 BST in Atlanta. Previously a bank worker in Dublin, Lopes was recruited on LinkedIn by Cape Verde's coach Rui Aguas due to his father's heritage. The defender has been a member of the national squad since 2019 and helped the team qualify for their first World Cup. Cape Verde's participation in the 2026 World Cup marks a significant achievement for the nation, which ranks 67th in the world and has a population of around 525,000.
- •Roberto Lopes faces Spain in Cape Verde's World Cup debut on June 15.
- •Lopes was recruited on LinkedIn after a career in banking.
- •Cape Verde is one of the smallest countries in the World Cup.
- •The team's world ranking is 67th, showcasing significant progress.
- •Lopes became a father just before Cape Verde's World Cup qualification.
- 8:24 AMYahoo Sports — Dublin-born Cape Verde star recruited on LinkedIn gets World Cup chance
- 8:24 AMBBC Sport — Recruited on LinkedIn, set to face Spain - the Dublin-born Cape Verde star
"They are one of the smallest countries to play in a World Cup, but Cape Verde are aiming high, with a Dublin-born defender who used to work in a bank among their ranks.
"They are one of the smallest countries to play in a World Cup, but Cape Verde are aiming high, with a Dublin-born defender who used to work in a bank among their ranks.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 8:24 AMDublin-born Cape Verde star recruited on LinkedIn gets World Cup chance
They are one of the smallest countries to play in a World Cup, but Cape Verde are aiming high, with a Dublin-born defender who used to work in a bank among their ranks.
- BBC SportJun 15, 2026, 8:24 AMRecruited on LinkedIn, set to face Spain - the Dublin-born Cape Verde star
They are one of the smallest countries to play in a World Cup, but Cape Verde are aiming high, with a Dublin-born defender who used to work in a bank among their ranks.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- EPL•Jun 15, 2026, 10:08 AMMarc Cucurella completes move from Chelsea to Real Madrid in £52m deal
Champions League•Jun 15, 2026, 10:00 AMMakaay’s record-setting boots now on display- LaLiga•Jun 15, 2026, 10:00 AMTchouameni reveals where things stand with Valverde after Real Madrid fallout
- LaLiga•Jun 15, 2026, 9:57 AMSpanish bars gear up for World Cup with extra beer and staff
- Champions League•Jun 15, 2026, 9:55 AMGasperini asks Greenwood to wait while Roma prepare official offer for Marseille
- EPL•Jun 15, 2026, 9:55 AMReal Madrid move quickly to seal €50m deal for Chelsea defender
