When Cape Verde take to the field at the FIFA World Cup 2026, they will do so as one of the tournament's most compelling stories. Midfielder Telmo Arcanjo is in no doubt about what lies ahead. "I believe we can surprise people once again," he tells Sky Sports.

The Blue Sharks are far from the weakest side in the competition. They currently rank above Ghana — a squad packed with Premier League talent — and they swept past Cameroon in qualifying without breaking stride. Those who tracked their Africa Cup of Nations campaigns will recall quarter-final runs in both 2013 and 2024. This is no accident.

The secret: unity above all else

"The secret is unity," Arcanjo says plainly. Cape Verde's squad is a mosaic of backgrounds and birthplaces, drawn together by a common flag. Twelve players were born on the islands themselves, while six others are Netherlands-born, three from France, and three — including Arcanjo — from Portugal. Roberto 'Pico' Lopes was born in Ireland, and goalkeeper CJ dos Santos hails from Philadelphia.

"Whenever we come together for the national team, we put the country above everything else," Arcanjo adds. Cape Verde only joined FIFA in 1986 and did not enter World Cup qualifying until the turn of this century, but the diaspora has unlocked the nation's true football potential.

Arcanjo himself was born in Lisbon, yet his bond with the archipelago runs deep. His older brother represented Cape Verde before he did. "It is part of who I am," he says. "I was born and raised in Europe, but I have always been very close to Cape Verdean culture through my family. Cape Verde means representing my roots, my history, and the people who came before me. It is something I carry with great pride and responsibility."

A moment that belongs to the whole nation

The emotion of qualifying still resonates. A tense October fixture against Eswatini ended 3-0, and the final whistle sparked scenes of pure jubilation. "It was a moment that is difficult to put into words," Arcanjo recalls. "We knew what it meant for the country and for everyone who believed in us. Seeing the joy of my teammates, the coaching staff, and the supporters is something that will stay with me forever."

For Arcanjo, this is bigger than football. "Cape Verde is a small country, but it has a very strong identity and a huge diaspora spread across the world. Being at a World Cup is an opportunity to show who we are, our culture, our history, and the talent of our people."

Club form and the road ahead

Arcanjo arrives at the tournament in strong personal form after an impressive season with Vitoria Guimaraes, where he helped the club claim the Taça da Liga with a dramatic victory over rivals Braga. "It was a very positive season," he reflects. "I grew as a player and, above all, as a person."

In coach Bubista's 4-2-3-1 system, Arcanjo is expected to feature in one of the attacking midfield roles. The opening match presents a formidable test — European champions Spain — before Cape Verde face two-time World Cup winners Uruguay.

"We know the quality Spain has and the challenge that lies ahead of us, but we also know what we are capable of when we are united and focused," he says. "Our goal is to compete at the highest level in every match and represent Cape Verde in the best possible way."

The target, in Arcanjo's own words, is to "create more historic moments" for a country that has already defied expectations — and is hungry to do it again.