When Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw in the nation’s first-ever World Cup match, he didn’t just spark conversations in sports circles.
He helped put his country on travellers’ radars.
And as Cape Verde is set to take on Argentina tonight in what fans are calling a ‘David and Goliath’ match, the country is rising on holidaymakers’ radars.
New data from leading travel search engine KAYAK shows flight searches in the UK for Cape Verde rose by 65 per cent month on month and 34 per cent year on year in June, as football fans and curious travellers appear increasingly eager to explore the islands.
Cape Verde has seen a significant rise in online search interest since the tournament kicked off on 11 June.
Cape Verde clinched the knockouts after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made headlines after the nation played Spain
For many people, this tiny island country – one of the smallest to qualify – is a genuinely intriguing discovery.
Yet despite its growing popularity as a team, many travellers have never before heard of the nation.
One Instagram user wrote: ‘If you’ve never heard of Cape Verde, now you have. And they just became a real team to watch after stunning Spain.’
Another asked on Reddit: ‘This, for me, is crazy. Did anyone hear about a country called Cape Verde before?’
One responded: ‘I knew it existed but have never heard anyone talk about it or anything. It’s tiny, population like half a million, and never involved in major international news stories or any big historical stuff that made it into school curriculums.’
A second chimed in: ‘If I knew about it, I never thought about it until this World Cup.’
Another added: ‘I’ve never heard of it before the World Cup, I’m in my 30s.’
Despite this, holidaymakers are keen to visit the archipelago off the coast of Senegal, with the figures demonstrating its increase in popularity.
UK flight searches for Cape Verde have increased amid the World Cup
The region is popular among many holidaymakers – while others have never heard of it
International visitors account for the vast majority of tourists, with 94.7 per cent of guests coming from abroad, and the United Kingdom remains Cape Verde’s biggest source market, accounting for 26.9 per cent of visitors in early 2025.
Sal is firmly established as the archipelago’s number one destination for international holidaymakers.
For those now tempted to travel to the African nation, flight prices to Cape Verde from the UK are currently averaging £401 return.
November could be a great choice. At that time of year, there is minimal chance of rain, average temperatures of around 25C, and flight prices 21 per cent cheaper than the yearly average, according to KAYAK.
