Thousands of fans welcomed the Cape Verde national football team, nicknamed 'The Blue Sharks', on Sunday, raising celebratory banners at Praia airport upon the team's return after losing 2-3 to defending champions Argentina in one of the most exciting matches of the 2026 World Cup. The 'Blue Sharks' team is preparing for a celebratory parade in the streets of the capital before meeting the president and other members of the government of the small West African nation. Cape Verde qualified for the knockout stages in its first World Cup appearance, bringing joy to its fans and gaining worldwide popularity after exceeding expectations. In an epic match in the round of 32 in Miami, Cape Verde almost eliminated Argentina, but the defending champions snatched a 3-2 victory in extra time. The team's arrival home coincided with Cape Verde's Independence Day. Fan Edmilson Correia, 28, who was among the crowds at the airport, said: 'After the heroes who fought for our independence, we now have these heroes, the Blue Sharks.' Pedro Leitão Brito, the coach of Cape Verde, spoke to the press upon arrival, saying: 'We proved that our World Cup qualification was no fluke. We showed perseverance and determination, and we left America with our heads held high.' Fans wearing the team's blue jersey were eager to see their stars like Sidney Lopes Cabral and goalkeeper Vozinha. Despite the team's loss to Lionel Messi and his teammates, celebrations erupted in Praia after the match, as fans celebrated this dream World Cup journey and the narrow defeat to the world champions. Cape Verde, a nation of just 500,000 people, celebrated on Sunday the 51st anniversary of its independence from Portugal, which ruled the country for 500 years.