Upon arrival at the technological Mercedes Benz Stadium, drums and fans dressed in blue dominated the landscape. With shouts of “uh uh uh ah” and “it’s a shark”, Cape Verdeans celebrated their debut in the World Cup.
The African country’s first match at the World Cup takes place this Monday (15), at 1 pm, against Spain, in Atlanta.
For some fans of the Blue Sharks, as the team is known, the feeling of participating in a World Cup for the first time kept them up at night the day before the game. This is the case with the family of Lucas Tubarão, 45, and Solange Dias, 40. “I couldn’t sleep,” he says. “We woke up at 4am nervous,” she adds.
Facing one of the favorites for the title is scary, they say, but it is necessary, says Lucas. “It’s the World Cup, you will have strong teams. Just don’t take a beating and it’s fine.”
Cape Verdeans, the two have lived in Massachusetts for 15 years and decided to watch the game. “The emotion is high. I never imagined that Cape Verde would be in the World Cup and we are here.”
The couple took their son Samaris, 6, who was excited to watch the game, but his parents said he is also a fan of Spain star Lamine Yamal, who is expected to start the game on the bench.
Supporting Spain, Ignacio Abascal traveled from Miami to Atlanta with his son to watch his first World Cup and he doesn’t hide his enthusiasm. “We decided to come because we believe this could be our year again”, says the Spaniard.
For him, the favoritism attributed to the team helps fuel fans’ expectations. “Normally, in Spain, we think we’re not good enough. But when everyone says you’re one of the big contenders for the title, that motivates.”
Despite his confidence, Abascal admits one concern. “Spain is a great team, everyone knows the way they play. But having someone like Lamine is different. We are not used to having one of the biggest stars in world football,” he said. “If he is 100%, we have a lot of options. Without him, I think we will have a good World Cup, but winning will be more difficult.”
