Cape Verde’s soccer team returns home to huge welcome. The basketball team also has World Cup hopes

Cape Verde’s soccer team returns home to huge welcome. The basketball team also has World Cup hopes 1 of 5 | With three draws, the Blue Sharks advanced to the round of 32, an unprecedented achievement for the small African nation, where they were defeated by Argentina in extra time. 2 of 5 | Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 3 of 5 | Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 4 of 5 | A Cape Verde fan looks on during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 5 of 5 | Cape Verde fans celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 1 of 5 With three draws, the Blue Sharks advanced to the round of 32, an unprecedented achievement for the small African nation, where they were defeated by Argentina in extra time. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 5 | Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 2 of 5 Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 5 | Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 3 of 5 Cape Verde fans cheer during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 5 | A Cape Verde fan looks on during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) 4 of 5 A Cape Verde fan looks on during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 5 | Cape Verde fans celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 5 of 5 Cape Verde fans celebrate after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Have a weekend, Cape Verde.The national soccer team returned home Sunday as heroes after their run to the round of 32 of the World Cup and pushing Lionel Messi and Argentina into extra time. The men’s basketball team clinched a berth in the second round of that sport’s World Cup qualifying as well.And all this happened during an already joyous time in Cape Verde — Sunday was Independence Day.“Viva Cape Verde,” basketball coach Emanuel Trovoada said after his team beat Libya on Sunday in a World Cup qualifying matchup in Cameroon.Viva Cape Verde, indeed. Not bad for a country of about 500,000 people — the smallest, in terms of land mass, ever to reach the World Cup.Independence Day was already going to be a day of celebration across the island nation off the western coast of Africa, but Sunday — with the soccer team returning from Miami — only made it more festive. Vozinha, the goalkeeper, captured video footage of workers on the tarmac dropping to their knees and bowing as the plane taxied into its gate. Eventually — after interviews that were followed by countless hugs, high-fives and selfies with well-wishers at the airport — players and coaches were loaded onto the back of a truck and paraded through thousands of cheering fans. Flags swayed in the breeze on a sunny afternoon, drummers took to the streets and dance troupes were part of the celebration. 2 MIN READ 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ “We gave it all for Cape Verde,” defender Pico Lopes said. The soccer team was in the World Cup for the first time this year. The basketball team — which got its second-round berth locked up on Saturday, before it easily beat Libya on Sunday — made its inaugural World Cup appearance in 2023 and will resume qualifying in late August with hopes of getting in to the 2027 event.“This is historic. This is important,” Trovoada said. “Our soccer team has returned to the country — for a party.”___See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here