The World Cup made Cape Verde go viral - but what's the tiny nation all about?

Cape Verde has drawn heightened global attention after its goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves to hold Spain to a 0-0 draw in the country’s first-ever World Cup appearance. The performance boosted travel interest, with new KAYAK data showing UK flight searches for Cape Verde up 65% month-on-month and 34% year-on-year in June. Ahead of Cape Verde’s Friday evening match against Argentina, the report frames the archipelago off Senegal as an easy short-break destination, noting direct flights from the UK. It highlights island experiences across its 10 islands, including resorts on Sal, salt-lake swimming at Pedra de Lume, baby lemon sharks at Shark Bay, and the Terra Boa mirage. It also references local operator Actour Cabo Verde and the country’s independence in 1975.