Morning Sports Update
The “Blue Sharks” earned a hard-fought draw against Uruguay, and could make it to the knockout round.
Gy Cabral, center, celebrates with his daughter Hannah while waving a Cape Verde flag after the team tied Uruguay 2-2 at Boston City Hall Plaza in Boston, MA on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Christian Kantosky/The Boston Globe
June 22, 2026 | 11:39 AM
3 minutes to read
Local Cape Verde fans drew international attention: Despite the pre-tournament concerns, Boston has been a hub of 2026 World Cup fandom so far. Between the Haitians, the Norwegians, and of course the Scots (among other fanbases that have seen their teams play locally), the atmosphere has been strong.
And while Cape Verde isn’t set to play at games at “Boston Stadium” (Gillette Stadium), its national team still has an enormous local fanbase that — befitting its “Blue Sharks” nickname — has been making waves.
With comparatively large local Cape Verde populations in Boston and Brockton, the fan watch parties (and Boston’s FIFA Fan Fest) drew international media coverage as the team battled it out against Uruguay in its second World Cup group stage match on Sunday.
When Cape Verde scored in the 21st minute to not only take a surprise lead (but also notch its first ever World Cup goal), local fans went wild:
The Dorchester watch party was also visited by BBC’s “Match of the Day” program:
Cape Verde watch party in Boston! 📺🇨🇻
There’s a big Cape Verdean community in the Boston – here’s what Sunday’s dramatic draw with Uruguay meant to them ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xQ7TSZ5cJX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 22, 2026
Brockton, unofficially known for being the “11th island of Cape Verde” became a party scene.
Back in Cape Verde itself, a luckily-timed BBC broadcast caught the goal being scored live on air:
The game ended in a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. Having also achieved a near-miraculous 0-0 draw against Spain in its opener, Cape Verde are potentially on track to qualify for the knockout round.
The Blue Sharks face Saudi Arabia in the final group stage game on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m.
Trivia: Cape Verde are one of the smallest nations to ever qualify for a World Cup. Prior to the 2026 tournament, what nation held the record for smallest to ever qualify?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Also an island nation.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost 3-1 to the Mariners on Sunday. Boston will begin a three-game series against the Rockies tonight in Colorado at 8:40 p.m.
Today in the World Cup:
- Argentina vs. Austria at 1 p.m.
- France vs. Iraq at 5 p.m.
- Norway vs. Senegal at 8 p.m.
- Jordan vs. Algeria at 11 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
A Giannis trade could be incoming: Per NBA insider Shams Charania, Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be traded by the Bucks before the start of the NBA Draft on Tuesday evening.
On this day: In 1994, the U.S. men’s national team achieved its first major win of the modern era on the world’s stage. Facing Colombia, seen as one of the potential dark horses of the tournament, the U.S. pulled off a stunning 2-1 win to help ensure passage to the knockout round.
The win, though an enduring moment for the U.S. program, was later marred by the murder of Colombian defender Andres Escobar, the defender whose own goal proved decisive. The details of Escobar’s life and death were later the subject of an ESPN “30 For 30” documentary.
Daily highlight: Possibly the save of the tournament was delivered by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in the 0-0 draw with Belgium in the World Cup on Sunday.
Trivia answer: Iceland
Hayden Bird
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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