Cape Verde Faces Scandal Ahead of 2026 World Cup

The Cape Verde national football team is facing controversy as a sexual assault allegation has surfaced against an unnamed international player. This incident reportedly occurred during a FIFA series tournament held in New Zealand in March, ahead of Cape Verde's historic participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The victim has officially filed a complaint on April 10 against the player, whose identity has not been disclosed. This development has raised concerns within the Cape Verde football community as the team prepares to compete in a challenging group alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

Cape Verde's World Cup campaign is set to begin against Spain on June 15 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.