Cape Verde coach Pedro "Bubista" Brito warns US visa restrictions may block thousands of fans from attending their World Cup debut in Miami, Houston and Atlanta. For bettors, a diminished diaspora could blunt the '12th man' effect, slightly lowering upset value on Cape Verde in match and futures markets — punters may shy from backing them outright but target boosted underdog props if crowds remain thin.
Cape Verde coach fears visa ban will keep fans from World Cup
Pedro "Bubista" Brito has expressed deep concern that many Cape Verde supporters may be denied entry to the United States ahead of the nation's first-ever FIFA World Cup finals. The coach said the qualification "belongs to the whole nation" and warned that the visa situation has "worsened recently," potentially depriving the team of the vocal diaspora that helped carry them to the finals.
Historic qualification and the stakes
Cape Verde will make its tournament debut in a group featuring Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The team will play in Miami, Houston and Atlanta — cities where a strong travelling support could lift the squad. Thousands of fans had hoped to make the historic trip, making any travel barriers a major emotional and sporting blow.
Coach: "This qualification belongs to our people"
Bubista stressed the role of the diaspora, calling them the team's "12th man" and saying the qualification was "a victory for the people — those in Cape Verde and those living abroad." He admitted personal worry about fans missing out and urged for clarity and improvement in visa processing ahead of the tournament.
US visa pause — what it actually covers
A recent US policy pause affects the processing of immigrant visas from a list of countries, which has raised fears about travel eligibility for fans. The State Department clarified the pause applies to immigrant visas only and does not cover non-immigrant visas typically used by tourists, athletes, their families, or media professionals — though practical uncertainty remains for many applicants.
Group fixtures and logistics
Cape Verde's group stage matches are scheduled across multiple US cities, meaning supporters would need to travel between venues. Any disruption to visa issuance or travel planning could significantly reduce the number of fans able to follow the team in person.
Betting implications and market impact
Bookmakers list Cape Verde as a long-shot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
With a reduced travelling support, the intangible home-like boost in US venues is likely to be smaller, which can slightly decrease upset probabilities for Cape Verde in match and futures markets.
Punters should weigh lower crowd influence when assessing match bets; alternatively, look for value in niche underdog props or boosted offers if bookmakers adjust markets for crowd uncertainty.
What to watch next
Expect updates from relevant consular services and the Cape Verde football federation in the coming weeks. Any official changes to visa guidance or expedited processing for supporters would alter both the human story and the betting landscape ahead of kick-off.
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The manager of FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde speaks to the Mirror, and reveals he's very upset his country's fans are facing a visa ban from the United States ahead of this summer's tournament
Mirror
