In a heartwarming scene, the dressing room of Torreense, a Portuguese second-division club, erupted with joy as captain Stopira, a 37-year-old centre-back, was announced as a member of the Cape Verde national team for the 2026 World Cup. A video capturing the moment was shared on the social media platform X, highlighting the emotional response of his teammates.
This achievement marks Stopira’s first-ever World Cup selection, a significant milestone that has generated excitement among fans and teammates alike. It is rare for a player from the Portuguese second division to reach football’s most prestigious stage, making this event even more remarkable.
Cape Verde has been placed in Group H for the World Cup, where they will compete against Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. This season, Stopira has made an impressive 38 appearances for Torreense, scoring three goals in the process.