Handshake designed with American and Cape Verde flags. Photo: Jay Willett/WBZ NewsRadio
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's the World Cup gift that just keeps on giving.
The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde made history when the team qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time ever.
After earning points in its first two games against elite teams, Cape Verde has become the tournament's Cinderella, especially in Brockton that has a sizable Cape Verdean population.
And now, the Blue Sharks have the opportunity to advance to the tournament's 32-team knockout round with a win Friday night against Saudi Arabia.
Even a draw could propel the team into the next round depending on how other teams do. "At the end of the day, we got out together and celebrated," said this fan from Brockton. "It's a big time."
Fans are still talking about the team's very first goal it scored in the World Cup when Kevin Pina curled a free kick perfectly into the net from 30 yards out.
That goal sent fans into delirium as the team earned a 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winner Uruguay.
Pina spent time as a teenager in Brockton, known as Cape Verde's '11th island' due to so many Cape Verdeans living there.
Lu-Lobo Vieira of the Cape Verdean Association of Brockton said the team's success has brought the city together. "Amazing. It's crazy! It's good to see how Cape Verdean people get together and unite as one, as it should be," he said.
A watch party will be held at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton on Friday night between the Blue Sharks and Saudi Arabia at 8 o'clock.
WBZ NewsRadio's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.