The joy and wonder of Cabo Verde's unlikely World Cup journey

Cabo Verde’s football team arrived at Boston’s Logan Airport on June 2, 2022, ahead of their World Cup debut, but fans expecting a grand welcome were instead told the players would board a bus directly from customs. A crowd of around 100 Cabo Verdean diaspora members, many from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, had gathered with flags, scarves, and songs to greet the team, which qualified as the third-smallest nation by population in World Cup history. When the announcement came, the crowd briefly frowned before breaking into song, performing lyrics from Soraia Ramos’s anthem *Look Where We’re Walking*, celebrating their global presence. The moment highlighted the emotional significance of Cabo Verde’s qualification for a country with a history of hardship, including centuries of drought and famine. Located 350 miles off Africa’s west coast, Cabo Verde’s 500,000 residents often rely on the 1.5 to 2 million diaspora members abroad, particularly in the U.S., Netherlands, and Portugal, due to scarce rainfall. The nation’s connection to the U.S. dates back to the 19th century, when Cabo Verdeans worked in New Bedford’s whaling industry, a legacy tied to both economic opportunity and the transatlantic slave trade. The airport setback did little to dampen the excitement, as Cabo Verdeans worldwide have embraced the team’s journey. Songs like Codé di Dona’s *Fomi 47*, which mourns the 1947 famine, contrast with the joy of rare rainfall turning brown islands green. The diaspora’s pride stems from Cabo Verde’s unlikely rise in global football, a story of resilience and unity. Fans like Ed Lopes, 30, expressed awe at the team’s impact, noting how the World Cup has put their nation on the world’s radar. Cabo Verde’s qualification marks a historic moment for a country often overlooked on maps, even though it lies in the Atlantic near hurricane paths. The team’s arrival in the U.S. underscored the deep ties between Cabo Verde and its diaspora, with supporters singing of their global reach. Despite the airport mix-up, the event became a symbol of hope and pride for a nation with a rich, complex history.