Fans in Cape Verde party into the night after historic World Cup debut

PRAIA, Cape Verde (AP) — Fans in Cape Verde were celebrating late into the night after their historic World Cup debut that saw the country pulling off a stunner against European champion Spain.

The tiny nation of half a million people made its first World Cup appearance on Monday, holding Spain scoreless in a 0-0 draw thanks to heroics from the team’s 40-year-old goalkeeper and a stubborn defense.

In the capital, Praia, fans crowded watch parties and major roads, singing and dancing as they celebrated what many thought had been unimaginable against Spain, heavily favored to win the game and a fair bet for the whole tournament.

Tears ran down faces as people hugged each other tightly and climbed poles to catch a glimpse of the spectacle across the city.

“I didn’t expect us to be holding our own in such a highly contested and difficult match,” William Gomes, a fan in Praia, said of their debut Monday. “Thanks to Vozinha’s performance, who is, for now, one of the best players on our team,” he said of their veteran goalkeeper.

While Cape Verde didn’t win, its performance shocked many across the world and rebuked some of the criticisms that the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 this year would weaken the tournament with less interesting fixtures.

The group of islands off Africa’s West coast with about 500,000 inhabitants is the third-smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup.

“Cape Verde is only a small country, but today it feels great and important. I don’t even have enough words to express what we’re feeling. We Cape Verdeans are truly blessed,” said Vladimir Garcia, a resident in Praia.

Ahead of the fixture, the government of Cape Verde declared a half-day off on Monday to enable people to support the national team.

“If today, 50 years later, we are at the World Cup, we have already proven that we are a viable nation,” Cape Verde’s President José Maria Neves said on social media, referring to when the country gained its independence from Portugal.

“More than celebrating the past, we must reimagine the future and believe that it is possible to build, in all areas of our lives, over the next 50 years, a modern, prosperous country with opportunities for all,” he added.

Fans react as they watch a broadcast of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Spain at a viewing center in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Queila Fernandes)

Fans react as they watch a broadcast of the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Spain at a viewing center in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Queila Fernandes)

Fans celebrate after the goalless draw in the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Spain at a viewing center in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Queila Fernandes)

A fan celebrates in traffic after the goalless draw in the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Spain in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Queila Fernandes)

Fans react as they watch the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Spain at a viewing center in Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Queila Fernandes)

Leaders of the Group of Seven are discussing Russia's war in Ukraine along with a tentative deal struck by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the conflict with Iran as they meet for the first full day at the G7 summit of leading industrialized nations on Tuesday in the French town of Evian-les-Bains.

Trump said he would focus again on Ukraine following a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron shortly after arriving late Monday in the lakeside spa town.

“Now that this (Iran) is finished, we’re going to be focusing on that,” Trump said.

Macron said he will seek to persuade Trump to continue supporting Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to help reach a peace agreement more than four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the war. Trump said he had good conversations on Sunday with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is attending the summit at France’s invitation.

The leaders also will have a working session focused on ending crises and ensuring stability in the Middle East. They are expected to discuss the global economic crisis resulting from the war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will join the talks.

Shortly before his arrival, Trump announced an agreement to end the 3 1/2-month-old U.S. war against Iran.

The G7 includes France, the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. Guest nations at this summit include Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Korea, Qatar, Ukraine and the UAE.

Here is the latest:

Zelenskyy is getting some time for private talks with Macron before he is scheduled to meet with the other G7 leaders, according to the French government.

Five of the seven leaders, representing Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan, were huddled in conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the start of the first session on Ukraine.

Trump was missing. Macron, too, hadn’t arrived yet because he was with Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the morning working session with G7 leaders to discuss the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Monday, June 15, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

French President Emmanuel Macron waves from a car leaving after meeting security forces ahead of G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Monday, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One, Monday, June 15, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump talks as he greets France's President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron at the G7 summit, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)