Shamrock Rovers centre-back Roberto Lopes secured his place in Cape Verde's 26-man World Cup squad, becoming one of three League of Ireland-based players chosen for the tournament. The defender joins goalkeeper CJ dos Santos and midfielder Jamiro Monteiro among the selected contingent representing the Blue Sharks this summer.

Cape Verde's roster showcases talent across European leagues, featuring goalkeepers Vozinha (Chaves) and Marcio Rosa (Montana), while defenders include Logan Costa (Villarreal) and Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica). The squad will aim to improve on their 2022 World Cup debut performance in Qatar.

Lopes' selection validates the growing reputation of League of Ireland Premier Division players on the international stage. His consistent performances with Shamrock Rovers earned recognition from Cape Verde manager Bubista, who included the experienced defender for his tournament know-how and defensive reliability.

The Blue Sharks face formidable opposition in group stages, but Lopes' inclusion provides valuable depth at centre-back. His journey from domestic Irish football to World Cup representation demonstrates pathways for other League of Ireland talents seeking international opportunities.