'We’re there to get out of the group': Pico Lopes delighted with Cape Verde World Cup draw

Roberto 'Pico' Lopes' Cape Verde were drawn against Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in their World Cup group

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025 - 22:31

PJ Browne

Pico Lopes said he was "buzzing" after Cape Verde were drawn with Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in their group for this summer's World Cup.

The Shamrock Rovers captain, recipient of the Soccer Writers Ireland 2025 Men's Personality of the Year Award on Friday, will be 34 and seven years into an unexpected international career with his father's native country by the time the finals roll around.

"There's very few bigger teams in the world than Spain, so absolutely buzzing," said Lopes.

"You've got one of the best young players in the world in Lamine Yamal, and all the top players they have. Uruguay is really interesting. South America is really just a melting pot of football, it's amazing. Can't wait to see their fans at the World Cup and how they'll react.

"Saudi Arabia, look at what they did to Argentina in the last World Cup. Spain will be difficult, but we've got to treat them with the same respect as Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. We're there to try and get out of our group. It'll be difficult, of course it will, but we're going to be a difficult test for other teams as well."

Being drawn in Group H means Cape Verde will play two of their games in Atlanta or Miami. Those would be convenient venues for their fans.

"It's funny, I thought Boston... they have a huge Cape Verde community, but my uncle was on to my dad the other day to say that, Miami has the biggest, that's where the most Cape Verdeans are," Lopes explained.

"It's fitting that we could possibly have a game or two here in Miami or Atlanta. We're really looking forward to that, there's loads of Cape Verdeans in America, they'll try and get the game as best they can and then there's a few in Europe that are already hoping to go. More outside Cape Verde than inside Cape Verde."

"My father's been quite calm, that's his nature, that's Cape Verdeans, so we're right laid back, but he's absolutely buzzing, you can see it, he was over it at the last game to secure qualification. He just loves it, he really does."

Lopes said the team have faced plenty of tough opponents in recent years, giving valuable experience for the clash with Spain.

"We played Brazil U23s, on their warm-up to the Olympics," he said.

"They had Martinelli, Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel - some really top footballers. We played Algeria, when (Riyad) Mahrez was there - really, really tough task.

"Morocco, not long after they played at the World Cup, we played them after that in their stadium, and they were a super team, they really were - I think we drew with them, I don't know how - a super team. Egypt, Senegal. We've got some stern tests in Africa, but not really many outside of our federation, so we're really looking forward to that."