Cape Verde supporters celebrated across two continents after their national team earned a 0-0 draw [1] against Spain in their FIFA World Cup 2026 debut.

The result marks a historic milestone for the nation, proving their competitiveness on the global stage against one of the world's most established football powers.

Celebrations erupted in Praia, Cape Verde, and Lisbon, Portugal, where large crowds gathered to mark the achievement [2]. Fans waved national flags and cheered into the night, viewing the scoreless tie as a symbolic victory for the underdog team [2].

The match was the first time Cape Verde appeared in the tournament. Despite the lack of goals, the defensive performance against Spain was seen as a triumph by the fanbase.

"A lot of people don’t have faith in us, but it’s 0-0, so for us we won," a Cape Verde supporter said [1].

The unexpected nature of the draw fueled the intensity of the parties in both the archipelago and the Portuguese capital. Supporters expressed pride in the team's ability to withstand the pressure of a high-profile debut match on the world stage [3].

While the official score remained 0-0 [1], the atmosphere in the streets of Praia reflected a sense of historic achievement. The result is being framed not as a stalemate, but as a statement of arrival for Cape Verdean football [3].

“"A lot of people don’t have faith in us, but it’s 0-0, so for us we won."”

This result represents a significant psychological breakthrough for Cape Verde, transitioning from a regional competitor to a recognized participant in the world's premier sporting event. By holding a powerhouse like Spain to a draw, the team has validated its qualification and established a precedent for other smaller footballing nations in future tournaments.