World Cup 2026: From bank worker to World Cup – the Dublin-born defender set to face Spain

Cape Verdeans came to Massachusetts in waves of migration as whalers and sailors starting in the 1850s. The state is home to the largest population of Cape Verdeans in the United States, with estimates ranging from approximately 70,000 to 90,000 residents.

Alves regularly returns to his hometown to support the team and was at the 15,000-capacity national stadium in the capital Praia when the Blue Sharks beat Eswatini to book their place in the final and fans shed tears of joy.

“The rest of the world said, ‘Cape Verde has no chance of getting this close, there’s no way.’ But here we are,” he says.

Alves and his wife, Neuza, helped finance tickets for children in Cape Verde to attend international matches in Praia.

“Every kid who plays football in Cape Verde has a dream of becoming a professional player,” he adds. “On every island you go, in every corner, you will find children playing, some barefoot. They just want to play.”

Alves will make the 1,000-mile journey from Boston to Atlanta for Cape Verde’s historic first World Cup match, but the giant television at Thony’s Barbershop will show the match live for locals to watch.

“There will be free snacks, free drinks for people to come and enjoy, you know,” he says.

“That’s the power of sports. There are a lot of people in this community who don’t follow football, but they come into the store to ask questions.

“When is the match? Where is the match? Can I watch it? Can I go? Can I come to the store?”

“That’s the power of sport to bring people together.”