Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira and San Diego FC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos have been selected to Cape Verde’s final 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s first-ever appearance in the tournament. The African nation debuts this summer as one of four first-time participants, joining Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Cape Verde opens Group H play against Spain on June 15 in Atlanta.
Key Takeaways:
- Two MLS players named to Cape Verde’s historic first World Cup squad
- Moreira, 2024 MLS Defender of the Year, anchors Blue Sharks backline
- Dos Santos switched international allegiance from United States to Cape Verde
- Cape Verde debuts in Group H against Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia
Moreira Brings Championship Pedigree to Blue Sharks Defense
Steven Moreira, 31, represents his parents’ birthplace at the senior level since 2023 after previously playing for France’s youth national teams. The Columbus Crew star earned MLS Defender of the Year honors in 2024 and played a crucial role in the club’s MLS Cup 2023 and Leagues Cup 2024 championships. Moreira brings 18 international caps and experience from Cape Verde’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
Dos Santos Earns Roster Spot After International Switch
CJ Dos Santos, 25, joins Cape Verde after formally switching his international eligibility from the United States, where he represented youth teams at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. Born in the U.S. to a Cape Verdean father and Portuguese mother, the San Diego FC goalkeeper trained with the Blue Sharks during the March 2026 international window. Dos Santos posted 10 clean sheets in 30 starts during San Diego’s historic 2025 expansion season.
Cape Verde Faces Daunting Group H Draw in World Cup Debut
The Blue Sharks enter the expanded 48-team tournament as debutants in Group H, facing Spain on June 15 in Atlanta, followed by Uruguay on June 21 in Miami, and Saudi Arabia on June 26 in Houston. The top two teams from each group advance, along with the eight best third-place finishers, giving Cape Verde a realistic path to the knockout round. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
