Cape Verde Surprises in 2026 FIFA World Cup, Earns Millions

KATHMANDU. Cape Verde has emerged as the biggest surprise team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In its first two matches, it drew the attention of everyone by drawing with former world champion Spain and Uruguay.

In its first World Cup match in history, Cape Verde held European champion Spain to a goalless draw. Then, in the second match, it came from behind to draw 2-2 with Uruguay, ranked 19th in the world, and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, securing a place in the final 32 undefeated.

In the knockout stage, it gave defending champion Argentina a tough challenge in extra time, losing 3-2, but Cape Verde equalized twice, pushing Argentina into extra time. However, its historic journey ended due to an own goal in the 111th minute.

This team, considered one of the smallest nations to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, has not only proven the notion that the expanded 48-team World Cup will be of low standard and only one-sided matches wrong, but has also succeeded in attracting the attention of the world.

How much money will Cape Verde receive?

FIFA will distribute a total of 871 million US dollars to the 48 participating teams in this World Cup. This is about 15 percent more than the 727 million US dollars distributed in the 2022 World Cup.

Each team will receive 2.5 million US dollars for preparation, training, travel, and management expenses, and an additional 10 million US dollars for qualifying for the World Cup.

Small football nations like Cape Verde will also receive additional assistance of more than 16 million US dollars allocated for team travel, management, and ticket arrangements.

Teams that are eliminated from the group stage will receive 9 million US dollars, while teams eliminated from the final 32 will receive an additional 11 million US dollars in prize money, in addition to the participation fee.

In this regard, Cape Verde, which reached the final 32 and was eliminated from there, will receive a minimum of 21 million US dollars (approximately 3 billion 202 million 200 thousand Nepali rupees) by combining the 10 million US dollars for qualifying and the 11 million US dollars for the knockout stage. This entire amount will be given to the Cape Verde Football Federation, and the federation will decide how to distribute it.

If this prize money is divided equally among the 26 players of the team, each player could receive more than 140 million rupees.

Cape Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa, has a population of 529,600. If the minimum 3 billion 202 million 200 thousand rupees received from the World Cup is divided equally among the entire population, each citizen will receive about 6,046 rupees.