World Cup kick-off and Cabo Verde debut: FIFA’s 2026 tournament starts June 11 across the US, Canada and Mexico, running to July 19, with 48 teams and 104 matches—and Cabo Verde’s first-ever World Cup match is set for June 15 vs Spain. Group H spotlight: A Group H preview flags Spain as a favourite, while also putting Cabo Verde and Uruguay in the “watch closely” mix as squads finalize preparations. Ticketing controversy: Multiple reports say FIFA removed thousands of tickets from its official portal and that resale listings shifted afterward, with FIFA facing renewed scrutiny over supply and pricing tactics. AI in football operations: FIFA says every team will have access to an AI analyst (“FIFA AI Pro”) to query match data and get tactical insights. Cabo Verde–China ties (industry-adjacent development): Coverage marks 50 years of China–Cabo Verde relations, highlighting cooperation in health, education and agriculture—an important backdrop for skills and service capacity. Regional finance for trade: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, with prior experience including Cape Verde in client relations. Education partnership: iibGroup renewed and expanded Chevening Scholarships support to Ethiopia, with one scholarship earmarked for Cabo Verde. Energy access in West Africa: The World Bank reports major progress on West Africa power integration—more transmission lines, more cross-border trade, and millions gaining electricity access—relevant to regional industry and logistics.