Cape Verde's World Cup Run Puts Its Unique Islands on the Map

Cape Verde, a small Atlantic island nation with a population of just over 500,000, made history at the 2026 World Cup by drawing 0-0 against European champions Spain in its first-ever match, becoming one of the smallest nations to qualify. The team's run ended with a 2-3 loss to Argentina on July 3 in Miami, but it sparked global curiosity about the country's location. Cape Verde is a chain of ten volcanic islands off the coast of Senegal, nine of which are inhabited, and was a Portuguese colony until 1975. The largest Cape Verdean communities in the U.S. are in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and each island offers distinct attractions, from Sal's beaches and kite-surfing to Santiago's historic capital and Fogo's active volcano. Travelers can fly directly from Boston via Azores Airlines or connect through Lisbon with TAP, with round-trip fares ranging from under $800 in off-peak to $1,700 in high season. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays under 30 days but must register on the EASE website at least five days before departure and hold a passport valid for six months.