Stopira: Cabo Verde Can Spring a Surprise at World Cup 2026

Cabo Verde defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, better known as Stopira, has never stopped fighting for his football dreams. Now aged 38, the left-back is reaping huge rewards as his country prepares for its first FIFA World Cup appearance.

On Sunday, 24 May, Stopira converted an extra-time penalty to hand second-tier Torreense a famous victory over heavyweights Sporting CP in the final of the Taça de Portugal. That club triumph is not the only reason Stopira has plenty to smile about right now. Almost 18 years on from his international debut, the left-back played an integral role in helping Cabo Verde qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. In October 2025, after a spell out of the side, he came off the bench to complete the scoring in a 3-0 rout over Eswatini, a result that sealed the Blue Sharks’ place at this year’s finals on North American soil.

Dreams of the World Cup

“Taking part in the World Cup is something that we probably never imagined happening so soon,” Stopira told FIFA. “Our people would always wait until the World Cup came around and then choose who they would support. But now they’ll have the pleasure of cheering on their own country.”

When he was a boy, the defender would showcase his shooting and dribbling skills in the streets, proving so good with his left foot that a neighbour likened him to Yannick Stopyra, the former France forward who helped his side reach the semi-finals at the 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico. The name was adapted to Cabo Verdean and the “y” was replaced with an “i”.

“I’d play with my friends from the neighbourhood, and, because I was called Ianique [phonetically similar to Yannick], an older guy decided it was a good nickname for me,” he revealed. “I’m left-footed and so was he. That’s how it came about, and now I wear the name 'Stopira' on my shirt.”

A Journey Across Continents

The seasoned full-back, who turned 38 on 20 May, started his career with Sporting Praia in the Cabo Verdean capital, before moving on to Santa Clara, a Portuguese outfit based on the Azores. In 2010, he joined the B team of Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, going out on loan the following year to Feirense and making his Portuguese Primeira Liga debut with them. Then came 11 years at Fehervar in Hungary and finally a move to Torreense in 2024.

Almost always an underdog, Stopira always aspired to beat the powerhouse clubs and national teams. He is going into the FIFA World Cup with the same mindset. The full-back is aware that the West African islanders will find it tough against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H, but he remains hopeful that the challenge is within their reach.

Belief in the Blue Sharks

“It was always my dream for us to qualify for the World Cup,” he explained. “When I was a boy, I’d always watch the matches involving Brazil, Portugal and the African teams. I’d sit there and wonder if Cabo Verde could make it one day.

“I’m delighted to have played my part in fulfilling that aspiration and I’m grateful too for the chance to be part of this group. But it’s not just me. All those who’ve pulled on the national-team shirt, and many others who never had the privilege, have also helped make this all possible. We’ve had to go through various stages to get where we are today. And now we’re ready to savour this special occasion.”

Cabo Verde are one of four teams making their FIFA World Cup debuts this year, along with Curaçao, Uzbekistan and Jordan. The watchword for them now is optimism, as Stopira explained: “We have a lot of potential and some real quality and we can get some good results and spring a surprise at the tournament. We are more than capable of doing that.

“We have so much individual talent, and we’re strong as a collective too. I’m very happy and excited. It’s going to be a unique and historic time for our country and for every one of our players. I’m sitting here waiting for the World Cup to start with butterflies in my stomach.”