Cape Verde's Ligue 1 McDonald's connections

Cape Verde have arguably been the surprise package at the FIFA World Cup. We look at the connections between the African nation and Ligue 1 McDonald's.

Cape verde making history

Cape Verde, a small island off the west coast of Africa, are competing in their first-ever World Cup. They are one of the nations to have benefited from the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams, but they aren't there simply to make up the numbers.

They could hardly have faced a tougher test than reigning European champions Spain in their debut at the tournament. Yet they defied expectations. They held Luis de la Fuente's side to salvage a historic point and earn plenty of plaudits for their defensive performance in the process.

Against Uruguay, they made further history. Whilst their first win in the tournament still eludes them, Cape Verde scored their first goals at the tournament in a 2-2 draw.

First two goals ever in a World Cup and earned another point.
Historic for Cape Verde! 🦈🇨🇻 pic.twitter.com/G2fsLbZDNS
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 22, 2026

After Kevin Pina opened the scoring, Uruguay fought back and led 2-1 before Hélio Varela, freshly off the bench, equalised just after the hour mark.

There were three former Ligue 1 McDonald's players in action. Logan Costa, formerly of Toulouse, was the only one not involved, however, he is the star of this team. It is only because of fitness that he wasn't in action in Miami.

The defender, now playing for Villarreal in La Liga, was one of many players at this World Cup born in France but representing another nation. He was born in Saint-Denis, represented Les Bleus at youth level, and came through the ranks at Reims before making his move to Le TéFéCé.

He would have just one full season in Ligue 1 McDonald's, however. He certainly made an impression, having played in Ligue 3 and Ligue 2 BKT before earning his big-money move to Spain.

Veteran forward Ryan Mendes started against Uruguay. Whilst he was not born in France, he moved to the country at a young age, coming through the ranks at Le Havre before joining Lille back in 2012. He netted seven goals in 55 appearances in Ligue 1 McDonald's. He was more prolific in France's second tier, netting 19 goals in 83 games.

France has a hand in Cape Verde success

Nuno Da Costa was another to move to France young. He would play for La Ciotat, Aubagne FC, Valenciennes, Strasbourg, SM Caen, and, most recently, Auxerre. The journeyman forward played 87 times for Le Racing, scoring 17 goals. In the 2022/23 season, he scored six goals in 41 appearances for L'AJA. He now plays his football in Turkiye.

Another France-born Cape Verde player and another one to have played for Toulouse. Steven Moreira, now playing for Columbus Crew in the MLS, came through at Rennes before also featuring for Lorient and Le TéFéCé.

The defender, who represented France at youth level, played 113 times in Ligue 1 McDonald's and a further 65 times in Ligue 2 BKT.

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