VIDEO: Historic Cape Verde World Cup Qualifying Win Celebrated in Rhode Island

Cape Verde will play in the World Cup for the first time after beating Eswatini 3-0 to win their group in African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Monday.

And celebrations erupted in Cape Verdean and soccer communities across Rhode Island. 

In Pawtucket, team fans gathered at Pico’s Restaurant and Lounge on School Street to watch the game - and owner Osvaldino Dasilva spoke with GoLocal about the magnitude of the win. 

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“Cape Verde is a small nation with big dreams and an even bigger heart,” Dasilva told GoLocal. “Qualifying for the World Cup is a monumental victory for our country. We have arrived on the global stage, where no one needs to ask where or what Cape Verde is."

“Economically, financially, and socially, this achievement will have a significant impact on our beautiful islands,” he added.

As GoLocal reported, "Rhode Island May Generate $100M+ From World Cup Games Coming to Gillette in 2026."

 

 

Pawtucket in Focus

Community leader Khrystyne Bento said the win should encourage the City of Pawtucket to open Morley Field - which has been closed for public use for years - to the community. 

“With all the awesome CV soccer players we have here in Pawtucket high schools, it’s a perfect opportunity for the city to open that Morley Field, that has been held hostage for over 3 years. That is where most CV kids practice to be great,” she said. 

“With us now having the soccer stadium, it would be an awesome move to motivate Pawtucket youth to practice harder to one day play at the stadium,” she added. 

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