Cape Verde experienced a dream year of 2025. However, 2026 will bring the long-awaited realization. The “blue sharks” guaranteed their unprecedented qualification for the 2026 World Cup. In an exclusive interview with More footballBubista, Cape Verde's coach, confessed that, for some people, this qualification still seems like a “dream”. However, the 55-year-old coach assumes that he is already, with his feet on the ground, detailing all the details of the competition. The coach, born on the island of Boavista, analyzed the “very strong” group and also guaranteed that Cape Verde has the weapons to believe that it can measure up against any opponent. He also commented on his non-participation in CAN, which was a “price to pay” to make his dream come true. READ MORE: PART I: Bubista: «Sindy at Benfica is a signing for the present and the future» Does Cape Verde at the World Cup still seem like a dream or is it already starting to taste like reality? «It always seems. We are always eager to talk about this, but obviously we already have to start thinking about something else, which is being able to prepare well to compete in the World Cup. Obviously people are still dreaming about how we can achieve this, but it always represents a culmination of a lot of work, sacrifice and faith. It is also a source of pride and gratitude for everything we have done. But I, in this case, am already “sitting down” my thoughts about the final phase of the World Cup.” How did you look at the group that ended up in Cape Verde? [Espanha, Uruguai e Arbábia Saudita] It's a very strong group, we know it's a very strong group. But we are satisfied, because we have two World Champions in the group and we have Saudi Arabia, who obviously we cannot forget. But we are pleased to be able to face these teams. We know it is extremely difficult, but we are also pleased that our first participation will feature two teams that were previous World Champions. It gives us this joy of being able to enter and be able to do our best. May our people be proud of what we have done so far and what we are going to do there.” In terms of clear objectives, have there already been any conversations with the federation? «At this moment the most important thing is to be able to dignify our football, our country and our people. This is the most important part. Obviously, in our minds there will always be a goal, but we are still six months away from the competition. We still have time to be with the team, talk calmly and define maps.” Does Cape Verde have the weapons to surprise at the World Cup? «We have a team that is very united. We also have players who are experienced, not in the World Cup, but in European football. We trust in our organization, in our unity and in our courage. Therefore, everything we have done in our organization has been focused on this. These will be extremely difficult games for us, but we are used to it. I think that in our qualification we had very strong teams. If we can do that in our qualification, we also have hope of being able to do that with any opponent.” What influence could Cape Verde not participating in CAN have at this moment? «Obviously we wanted to be in CAN. But what experience showed us is that perhaps we weren't prepared to do both competitions at the same time. In other words, we do both qualifications more or less at the same time... our structure, even the country was not prepared to do this in such a short space of time. Obviously we wanted to be in CAN, that's clear, but perhaps we could also not have qualified for the World Cup. We are calm, we achieved what we want, which is the ultimate World Cup. The players are happy because they will be at the World Cup. It's the first time for everyone, the first time for us as a technical team too. We can't complain about anything. Everyone is satisfied.” The World Cup is about six months away. How is the preparation? «We are already planning, but we can only do this after we have our base in the United States. This will only be known from January 14th. In any case, we already have Chile, Finland and New Zealand for preparatory games in March. At that point we will already have the most specific things for the rest that we are going to do in the internships.”