Cape Verde come to Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025 for just their third IHF Men’s World Championship appearance after making their debut at Egypt 2021, and following it up with qualification through to Poland/Sweden 2023. 

To make it a trio of successive global events they finished fourth at their continental championships, the 2024 CAHB Men’s African Championship, held in Egypt.

After topping their preliminary group with wins against Rwanda (52:27), Zambia (45:13) and DR Congo (29:22), they then defeated Morocco (31:22) in the last eight but their chance of a podium spot ended with two, successive defeats, against Algeria (26:32) in the semi-finals and Tunisia in the 3/4 placement match (28:35).

Leading Cape Verde in Egypt was coach Jorge Rito, who took over the team in 2023 and who has a wealth of coaching experience in his native Portugal, with club sides ABC Braga, Sporting Lisbon and others, plus experience with the Portuguese national youth teams.

Cape Verde is his first role as a senior national team head coach and he is the third different coach for Cape Verde in those three men’s world championship appearances.

“We are a team that will participate in a world championship for only the third time, but we have good players and a lot of motivation. Our objective is to qualify clearly for the main round and once we get there, to fight for our best ranking so far,” said the 62-year-old Rito to ihf.info where his side will face Cuba, Iceland (who played Cape Verde at Poland/Sweden 2023, winning 40:30) and Slovenia in the preliminary stage.

“Slovenia and Iceland are among the best teams in the world. Don’t forget – and to understand Slovenia’s quality – they were at the Olympic Games a few months ago. Iceland are another team of enormous value made up of athletes who play in the best European leagues and Cuba are a team that may be a surprise. There is not much information about them, but I can say that they have very athletic players and will also be a tough opponent to beat.”

After qualifying for their debut IHF Men’s World Championship, Egypt 2021, hopes were high under coach Jose Tomaz, but in unprecedented circumstances related to the global covid-19 pandemic, the west African side had to withdraw after just one game with their squad decimated due to positive tests, including coach Tomaz. In their world championship debut they could only field 10 players, but an impressive performance against a strong Hungary team, despite a loss (27:34), highlighted their potential going forwards.

That was borne out at in 2022, as they went again to Egypt, this time securing silver in just their second continental competition, with the only team able to stop them the hosts – and African powerhouse – Egypt, in the final.

Next up was Poland/Sweden 2023, with captain Leandro Semedo saying at the time that it felt like their real world championship debut, such was the brief experience of their first.

Under the guidance of experienced Serbian coach Ljubomir Obradović, Cape Verde won their opener – and first-ever senior men’s world championship victory – against Uruguay, 33:25. 

This was enough to make the main round, despite losses to Sweden (27:34) and Brazil (28:30), but the main round was where they would end – the step up to soon for the ‘Blue Sharks’ as they are known. Three comprehensive losses followed – against Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025 group opponents Iceland (30:40), plus Portugal (23:35) and Hungary (30:42).

“Our past two world championships had different emotions, but every game is emotional,” said Semedo, one of nine players to play at Egypt 2021 who were in that 2024 African championship side, to ihf.info. “The first one we only played one game due to covid, but the second one, for us, was amazing. We had a good championship and played well.

“We must be ready, prepared, have more patience and be calm and easy. We will enjoy the moment, enjoy the situation and enjoy the games,” he added about the upcoming 2025 event.

“We have a difficult group with three, historic teams, but we have our goals and want to get to the main round one more time. For that, we must be prepared because these are three good teams; Cuba are new, young guys with power and then Slovenia and Iceland. Everybody knows they are good teams; powerful, European teams.”

Semedo, like his teammates, plays his club handball outside of Cape Verde, but unlike his teammates, who mainly play in Portugal, he plays in Kuwait, where he won the 39th edition of the Arab Club Handball Championship with Kuwait Sporting Club in September.

“I’m feeling fresh, I'm healthy and I'm grateful to be captain, to be the representative of the players and the leader of such amazing men I have around me,” added Semedo. 

“As a team, we don't have too many camps together, but from 26 December we will make our final preparations. We're a group of fighters. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, together, we will fight as brothers. Win or lose we will fight together as one team, as warriors.”

For Alberto Silva, Technical Director at the Cape Verdean Handball Federation, the qualification to a third, consecutive world championship helps put his country on the world map.

“This qualification means being among the best in the world and enjoying the opportunity to participate in high-level events. For a small country with a population of less than 500,000 our participation is a source of great pride. We view this qualification not only as a sports milestone but also as an affirmation of our people's capability and determination on the international stage,” he said.

“Our qualification represents the recognition of all the long-term hard work that has been carried out. The Cape Verdean Handball Federation considers this achievement a significant victory for the country, symbolising the experience gained at global competition levels.”

Comprising of 10 volcanic islands off the west coast of Africa, the geographic make-up of Cape Verde provides a challenge in promoting the sport, with all islands participating in a national championship, ending with a final on one of the islands.

However, according to Silva, there is a strong willingness to engage with a vibrant youth population eager to learn the sport, promoted by the men’s team on the global stage

“It is essential that we continue to invest in training athletes and other sports professionals. The government has been committed to modernising and expanding sports facilities, thereby creating an environment conducive to the development of handball,” he said.

“While there are no shortage of innovative ideas, we still need more sponsorship and community engagement to turn these ideas into reality. We are confident that with the necessary support, we can further elevate the level of handball in Cape Verde and provide meaningful opportunities for our athletes.

“Our expectation at Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025 is to participate in the best possible way, fighting in every game and demonstrating the potential of Cape Verdean handball. We are determined to give our best in each match, proudly representing our country and showcasing the quality of our sport.”

Coach: Jorge Rito

Key players: Leandro Semedo (left back), Paolo Moreno (line player), Délcio Pina (left wing)

Qualification for Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025: 2024 African Men’s Championship – 4th place

History in the competition: 2021: 32nd*, 2023: 23rd
*Cape Verde withdrew due to covid-19 complications 

Group at Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025: Group G (Cape Verde, Cuba, Iceland, Slovenia)