Sacramento’s Cape Verdean community turned out in force to watch Cape Verde face Uruguay in FIFA World Cup play, with supporters saying the moment meant far more than soccer.Dozens of fans packed a local watch party, where cheers, chants and dancing filled the room as people celebrated both the match and what they said was a historic moment for the island nation.“It’s just a proud moment for us to even have the opportunity to come to the world,” Gina Lewis-Lopes said.For many at the event, the game represented visibility and recognition for a country they said is often overlooked.“Up until the game of Spain, it was like you tell people you’re Cape Verde and people didn’t really know. They’re like, ‘What is that?’” Julio Baptista said.Supporters said Cape Verde’s appearance on the world stage is especially meaningful because of the country’s size and history. The island nation off the coast of Africa was under Portuguese rule for more than 500 years before gaining independence in 1975.“We might be too small, but we are bigger, larger than life,” Lewis-Lopes said.Fans with family roots in Cape Verde said the World Cup spotlight is giving them a chance to share their culture more broadly.“This goes beyond the World Cup,” Anna Coelho said.Darlene, another supporter at the watch party, described Cape Verdean culture as rooted in “love and peace and joy and happiness.”Baptista said that the sense of connection is central to the community.“We all treat each other as family,” Baptista said. “You meet another Cape Verdean, and we’re like, ‘That’s my cousin.’ It’s just beautiful. We have a beautiful heart.”Coelho said, “We’re all about love. We’re all about coming together. We’re all about culture. We’re about traditions.”Even attendees outside the Cape Verdean community said they were moved by the moment.“The fact that Cape Verde can actually participate in the World Cup is a tribute to the independence struggle of Cape Verde,” Eric Simpson said.Simpson added that Cape Verde may be small, but “it has a huge footprint.”The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but supporters said the result was only part of the story. For many, the day was about pride, identity, and celebrating a country they believe the world is finally beginning to recognize.“I’m enjoying every single minute of this,” Baptista said.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Sacramento’s Cape Verdean community turned out in force to watch Cape Verde face Uruguay in FIFA World Cup play, with supporters saying the moment meant far more than soccer.
Dozens of fans packed a local watch party, where cheers, chants and dancing filled the room as people celebrated both the match and what they said was a historic moment for the island nation.
“It’s just a proud moment for us to even have the opportunity to come to the world,” Gina Lewis-Lopes said.
For many at the event, the game represented visibility and recognition for a country they said is often overlooked.
“Up until the game of Spain, it was like you tell people you’re Cape Verde and people didn’t really know. They’re like, ‘What is that?’” Julio Baptista said.
Supporters said Cape Verde’s appearance on the world stage is especially meaningful because of the country’s size and history. The island nation off the coast of Africa was under Portuguese rule for more than 500 years before gaining independence in 1975.
“We might be too small, but we are bigger, larger than life,” Lewis-Lopes said.
Fans with family roots in Cape Verde said the World Cup spotlight is giving them a chance to share their culture more broadly.
“This goes beyond the World Cup,” Anna Coelho said.
Darlene, another supporter at the watch party, described Cape Verdean culture as rooted in “love and peace and joy and happiness.”
Baptista said that the sense of connection is central to the community.
“We all treat each other as family,” Baptista said. “You meet another Cape Verdean, and we’re like, ‘That’s my cousin.’ It’s just beautiful. We have a beautiful heart.”
Coelho said, “We’re all about love. We’re all about coming together. We’re all about culture. We’re about traditions.”
Even attendees outside the Cape Verdean community said they were moved by the moment.
“The fact that Cape Verde can actually participate in the World Cup is a tribute to the independence struggle of Cape Verde,” Eric Simpson said.
Simpson added that Cape Verde may be small, but “it has a huge footprint.”
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, but supporters said the result was only part of the story. For many, the day was about pride, identity, and celebrating a country they believe the world is finally beginning to recognize.
“I’m enjoying every single minute of this,” Baptista said.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel