From Seinajoki to the world: Pires of Finland's SJK makes Cape Verde squad

Pires is the first Veikkausliiga player picked for a World Cup since Abdallah El Said of KuPS played for Egypt at the 2018 event in Russia.

Having received an initial call up for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers during 2019 Pires only debuted for Cape Verde in September 2021 when The Blue Sharks fell in a 2022 World Cup qualifier versus Nigeria. He then appeared in a friendly victory against Liechtenstein during 2022.

Although he missed all Cape Verde qualifiers for the summer tournament Pires regained a spot in coach Bubista selections with impressive timing as he played in a friendly match versus Egypt last November and then gained his fourth cap while netting his opening international goal during the FIFA Series in March against Finland of all teams.

This performance secured the 26 year old a position in a 26 man squad featuring players active in domestic leagues across 14 nations such as the USA UAE Ireland Bulgaria Portugal and Israel.

Pires aims to collect additional international minutes when Cape Verde play Serbia in a pre tournament friendly in Lisbon Portugal ahead of their journey to the United States.

Cape Verde will make their World Cup debut on 15th June against Spain in Atlanta then face Uruguay in Miami on 21st June (00:00 CEST on 22nd June) before ending a demanding Group H schedule against Saudi Arabia on 26th June (02:00 CEST on 27th June) in Houston.

Pires started his career at the Cape Verdean side Batuque before joining SJK from AS Trencin in Slovakia first via a loan move in 2024 and then on a permanent basis one year later. He skipped the first match of the 2026 season owing to national team duties yet has since appeared in every league game for the Seinajoki club and scored versus Mariehamn last month.

He will thus present a significant absence for the team currently placed 10th in the Veikkausliiga and they must manage without him for a minimum of five league fixtures.