Forwards Alvin Fortes and Yuran Fernandes have been left out of Cape Verde's final squad for the 2026 World Cup. The news was reported this week by sports outlet Spotvnow, which highlighted the situation of several players based at Southeast Asian clubs.
The national team, known as the Blue Sharks, currently sits 2nd in their qualifying group with 3 points from 3 games. Their record stands at zero wins, three draws, and zero losses, with a recent form of LDDD. The team has scored 2 goals and conceded 2, maintaining a goal difference of zero, and trails group leaders Spain by 4 points.
Alvin Fortes, who plays for Malaysian side Selangor, had returned to the national team setup in March 2025 after a period out. The forward scored 13 goals in 40 appearances for his club and helped them reach the ASEAN Club Championship final. Despite this consistent domestic form, the manager chose not to include him in the final 26-man squad for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Yuran Fernandes, an experienced centre-back with PSM Makassar, made his Cape Verde debut in 2025. His call-up for a fixture against Egypt last year showed he was in the coaching staff's plans. However, like Fortes, Fernandes was unable to secure his place in the group that will contest the first-ever 48-team World Cup. The absence of any Southeast Asian national team at the tournament makes these players' club situations notable, but it wasn't enough to guarantee their participation.
The Blue Sharks are in a phase of finalising their squad for the planet's biggest competition. The decision on Fortes and Fernandes comes as the team needs to find its best attacking combination. With only 2 goals scored in the ongoing qualifying phase, the attack is an area requiring attention. Detailed performance analysis is available in our stats section.
Competition for forward places is fierce, and the manager had to make tough choices between players plying their trade in leagues across the globe. The fact both players are based far from European football's main hubs may have influenced the final decision, despite their good club form.
The omission of Fortes and Fernandes from the 2026 World Cup closes, at least temporarily, a chapter in their international careers. For the national team, it means other players must step up and take on attacking responsibility at the tournament. The team needs to improve its efficiency in front of goal to succeed in such a demanding competition.
Fans can view the full squad list and team composition on our dedicated squad page. The road to the World Cup continues with the team focused on improving its qualifying position and preparing as well as possible for the challenge ahead. Defensive consistency, with only 2 goals conceded, is a positive foundation to build upon. The immediate objective is to close the gap to the group leaders and secure their tournament presence with the strongest possible team.
