One of the most beautiful stories of the 2026 North American World Cup is being written by Cape Verde, a small island nation in the Atlantic with a population of just over 540,000. This tournament marks the country's first appearance in the World Cup finals. However, unlike many debuting teams, Cape Verde did not quietly accumulate experience before returning home. In Group H, they stunned the world by drawing 0-0 with tournament favorites Spain and 2-2 with two-time champions Uruguay, surprising soccer fans globally. The success of small nations in soccer always resonates with people, not only because of the thrill of the underdog triumphing over the powerful but also because it illustrates the immense strength of human dreams and community aspirations.
Local Koreans have likened Cape Verde's surge to that of South Korea in 2002. This comparison carries a meaning beyond mere soccer excitement. During South Korea's remarkable run to the semifinals in 2002, the entire society experienced a collective energy that transcended soccer. Streets were filled with waves of red, and people sang and cheered throughout the night. Individual lives took a backseat as the nation shared a common dream. Cape Verde is currently experiencing a similar moment, with its citizens laughing and crying over their national team's achievements, realizing they can be more than just a peripheral player on the world stage.
Cape Verde is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Senegal. Comprising a group of scattered islands, the nation is geographically small but historically significant as a crossroads of European, African, and Atlantic maritime civilizations. It was a Portuguese colony for many years before gaining independence in 1975. The country speaks Portuguese as an official language and has developed a Creole culture that blends African and European influences. The globally renowned singer Cesária Évora hails from Cape Verde, showcasing the cultural depth of this nation.
The remarkable performance of Cape Verde in this World Cup is no mere coincidence. Despite its small population, the country has produced soccer talents who have developed in European leagues in Portugal, France, and the Netherlands. Diaspora players have returned to form the national team, demonstrating a level of determination and unity that larger nations often struggle to achieve. In soccer, strength is not solely determined by numbers. A larger population does not guarantee a strong team, nor does a bigger economy ensure victory. Sometimes, a nation's historical wounds, the longing of migrants, pride in their homeland, and a community's belief that "we can do it" can yield greater strength.
Cape Verde's success resonates with Koreans as well, due to an often-overlooked maritime connection between the two nations. The port city of Mindelo in Cape Verde was once a crucial stop for South Korean deep-sea fishing vessels traveling across the Atlantic. During the height of South Korea's distant water fishing industry, many sailors crossed the ocean to repair their boats, refuel, and take brief rests in this port. While Las Palmas in Spain served as a primary hub for South Korean fishing vessels, Mindelo also holds memories of South Korea's deep-sea fishing endeavors.
These maritime memories also carry complex human stories. Some South Korean sailors formed relationships with local women, resulting in the birth of mixed-heritage descendants. This narrative is neither solely a point of pride nor something to be ignored. The stories of impoverished South Korean men crossing oceans, local women sustaining their lives in ports, and the children born from these unions represent another facet of South Korea's early industrialization era as it ventured into the world. We must not consume these memories sensationally but rather reflect responsibly on South Korea's maritime history and the traces of its people left around the globe.
The stories of the Vietnamese Laitaihan, Filipino Koppino, and Cape Verdean descendants of Koreans all pose uncomfortable yet unavoidable questions. South Korea has transformed from a poor nation to a developed one, evolving from a recipient of aid to a donor. Therefore, it is time to look more warmly at the places where traces of Koreans remain. A nation's dignity is not determined solely by its GDP. A sense of responsibility towards distant ports, unfamiliar cities, and forgotten people is a hallmark of a mature nation.
Cape Verde also offers important insights for South Korean diplomacy and public diplomacy. Although small, the nation occupies a strategic position in the Atlantic. It serves as a midpoint connecting Africa, Europe, and South America, with potential in fisheries, tourism, and maritime logistics. If South Korea pays more attention, Cape Verde could become more than just a country of World Cup headlines; it could serve as a small hub for Atlantic public diplomacy. By collaborating with South Korean businesses, NGOs, the sports community, and cultural sectors to promote soccer exchanges, youth education, maritime cooperation, medical assistance, and Korean language education, the relationship between the two countries could deepen significantly.
Above all, this World Cup presents a great opportunity for South Korea to reassess Cape Verde. We often focus solely on major powers and large markets, viewing the United States, China, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East as the centers of diplomacy and economics. However, the world is not that simple. Small nations have histories, small islands harbor dreams, and even small ports hold stories connected to South Korea. It is in these places that the true elegance of diplomacy is revealed. Shaking hands with powerful nations is one form of diplomacy, but extending a hand to forgotten countries is also diplomacy.
Cape Verde's soccer story is thus even more beautiful. Children who grew up kicking a ball on cement fields are now facing off against the world's top stars. The dreams of island boys, nurtured by the winds of the Atlantic, are blossoming on the grand stage of the World Cup. Their achievements remind us that soccer is not just a sport but a vessel for human dignity and community hope. A single soccer ball can awaken a nation, and a draw in a match can elevate the self-esteem of an entire population.
South Korea has experienced something similar. The 2002 World Cup was not merely a sporting event in South Korea's modern history; it was a moment that instilled confidence in a nation that had risen from the scars of the financial crisis. The world looked at South Korea anew, and South Koreans looked at themselves differently. The emotions felt by the people of Cape Verde today are likely similar: a belief that "we can do it," a pride in being "small yet dignified," and the exhilaration of standing on a central stage rather than a periphery.
Of course, realistically, Cape Verde's World Cup journey is not over yet. The outcome of their final match will determine whether they advance to the knockout stage. However, the nation has already achieved a significant victory. They stood their ground against Spain and Uruguay, etching their name into the minds of soccer fans worldwide. In soccer, a miracle does not require lifting a trophy. The mere fact that a previously unnoticed team has captured the world's attention and instilled pride in the hearts of a small nation's citizens is already a miracle.
Now, South Korea should not view Cape Verde merely as the "country of World Cup surprises." There are memories of South Korean deep-sea fishing, the sweat and tears of sailors who traversed the Atlantic, and perhaps the lives of descendants carrying Korean blood. Most importantly, today’s Cape Verde, like South Korea in 2002, is filled with a passionate national desire to proclaim its existence to the world.
When a small island nation astonishes the world, we witness the truths of humanity, culture, and nature. A country may be small, but its dreams are not; a population may be small, but its passion is immense; and a seemingly short history flows with the depth of the ocean's time. Therefore, Cape Verde's World Cup journey transcends a mere soccer story. It is a narrative of a periphery walking toward the center, a small nation inscribing its name in world history, and a reminder for South Korea to revisit its forgotten maritime connections in the Atlantic.
Today, we can cheer for Cape Verde. With the spirit of supporting an underdog in soccer, remembering our own 2002 experience, and reflecting on the traces of Koreans that may still linger in that distant Atlantic port.
The World Cup is ultimately a festival where the world discovers each other through a single ball. This time, Cape Verde has helped us rediscover ourselves.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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