Get all the key information as Cabo Verde prepare to take part in their maiden World Cup match against a title-hunting Spain in Atlanta.
Group H
Tuesday, 16 June | Atlanta Stadium
Kick-off time
00:00 (GMT+8)
The match
History will be made at Atlanta Stadium, as Cabo Verde take part in a World Cup match for the first time. The Islanders are the third-least populous nation to reach the tournament behind Curacao and Iceland, and couldn’t have asked for a much sterner test to get their long-awaited debut campaign under way. Reigning European champions Spain are their opponents, with the 2010 winners entering this tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy on 19 July. This will be the pair’s first meeting at senior international level.
Possible Spain starting XI
Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, Baena
Possible Cabo Verde starting XI
Vozinha; Moreira, Borges, Lopes, Paulo; Lenini, Yannick Semedo; Mendes, Monteiro, Willy Semedo; Livramento
What they said…
“They’re a team with very clear tactical concepts. They build up play very well. They have physically powerful players. Many of them play in Europe and are at that competitive level. It will be a match that will require us to be at our best to compete.” Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach
“The important thing is to focus on ourselves and on what we need to do well. We have to take the game seriously, and it’s important to get off to a good start, but that doesn’t determine the outcome either”. Mikel Merino, Spain midfielder
“We want to show what we did during qualifiers. We want to compete with our identify and to play all of our matches with courage and organization to show the world what we are as a team and as a country. We know how difficult it will be and we are aware of Spain’s value, but the game is still played on the pitch.” Bubista, Cabo Verde coach
“Spain might be stronger with Lamine Yamal than without him, but whoever plays will cause trouble to Cabo Verde. We need to perform well defensively and try to take advantage of the spaces we might find during the match. We expect a very difficult game against one of the best teams in the world. We need to be at our best.” Ryan Mendes, Cabo Verde captain
Atlanta Stadium
Standing at over 300 feet high, Atlanta Stadium features a one-of-a-kind retractable roof, first-of-its-kind 360-degree halo video display and has been lauded as the most sustainable stadium in the world. Atlanta United of Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Football League’s (NFL) Atlanta Falcons call the ground home. Since opening in 2017, the stadium has hosted the biggest events in the United States, including the MLS All-Star Game, College Football Play-off National Championship Game, Super Bowl LIII, numerous international friendlies, and concerts from global superstars.