China's Role in Cabo Verde's Historic World Cup Draw with Spain Highlighted Amidst Celebrations

Thousands of Cabo Verdeans took to the streets of their capital, Praia, to celebrate their national football team's stunning 0-0 draw against Spain at the World Cup.

The archipelago nation, with a population of 500,000, viewed the stalemate against former World Cup champions as a victory. President Jose Maria Neves described it as a defining moment, stating on Facebook that "If today, 50 years later, we are at the World Cup, we have already proven that we are a viable nation."

The country's footballing success is also linked to China's contribution to its sports infrastructure. This includes the 15,000-capacity Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde, completed in 2014. Financed by Beijing and built by a Chinese state-owned contractor, the stadium became the national team's home turf following their first appearance at the African Cup of Nations in 2013, where they reached the quarter-finals.

The Blue Sharks, as the national team is known, have since qualified for three more African Cup of Nations tournaments, reaching the knockout stages twice. They secured their World Cup qualification by defeating eSwatini at the Estadio Nacional in October 2025.

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If today, 50 years later, we are at the World Cup, we have already proven that we are a viable nation.