World Cup 2026: From banker to World Cup – Dublin-born defender set to face Spain

Cape Verdeans arrived in Massachusetts whalers and sailors in waves of immigration beginning in the 1850s. The state is home to the largest Cape Verdean population in the United States, with an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 residents.

Alves regularly returns to his homeland to support his team and was at the 15,000-seater National Stadium in the capital Praia when the Blue Sharks were there. Beat him in a swat. To book their spot in the finals and keep their fans in tears of joy.

“The rest of the world said, ‘There is no chance, there is no way Cape Verde is going to come here’. But here we are,” he says.

Alves and his wife Nuza have helped finance tickets for children across Cape Verde to attend international matches in Praia.

“Every kid who plays football in Cape Verde dreams of becoming a professional player,” he added. “Every island you go to, you’ll find kids playing on every corner, some with bare feet. They just want to play.”

Alves will make the 1,000-mile trip from Boston to Atlanta for Cape Verde’s historic first World Cup game, but the giant television at Tony’s Barbershop will show the game live for locals to watch.

“There will be free snacks, free drinks, you know, for people to come and enjoy,” he says.

“This is the power of sports. There are a lot of people in this community who don’t follow football, but they were coming into the store to ask questions.

“When is the game? Where is the game? Can I watch? Can I go? Can I come to the store?”

“That’s the power of sports, bringing people together.”