Shanmugam praises Cape Verde for ‘capturing hearts’ after spirited World Cup run: ‘A small country. A big heart’

[wallybot]

Shanmugam praises Cape Verde for ‘capturing hearts’ after spirited World Cup run: ‘A small country. A big heart’

 

Minister Shanmugam described Cape Verde as a “small African island nation” with a population of about 530,000.  

 

⚽️ https://stmp.sg/h7Y8

 

@stompteam

 

Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam recently commended the Cape Verde national football team for their spirited performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  

 

Reflecting on the island nation's journey, Minister Shanmugam highlighted Cape Verde’s status as a "small African island nation" with a population of approximately 530,000, praising them for "capturing hearts" despite the odds.  

 

A Historic Tournament

Cape Verde’s participation in the 2026 World Cup marked the country's first-ever qualification for the tournament. Their run included several notable achievements:  

 

Knockout Stage: After an impressive group stage performance—which included draws against Spain and Uruguay—the "Blue Sharks" advanced to the Round of 32.  

 

Fighting Spirit: Their tournament ended in a closely contested 3-2 defeat to Argentina in the Round of 32, where the team managed to push the world champions into overtime before ultimately falling short.  

 

National Pride: The team's journey has been widely celebrated as a testament to perseverance, with players like goalkeeper Vozinha and midfielder Deroy Duarte gaining significant international recognition during the competition.  

[Satki]

SG here small country but fail to capture heart

 

and we know why

 

The last chap that warm people's cockles almost got taken out

[sgh123]

3 hours ago, Satki said:

SG here small country but fail to capture heart

 

and we know why

 

The last chap that warm people's cockles almost got taken out

I believe Cape Verde are filled with own locals. In contrast look at the European and even US or Canada I saw so many players of African origin. Without the jersey I may mistake that guy playing for some Africa nations instead