The Seahawks plan to waive running back Kenny McIntosh, Brady Henderson of ESPN reports.McIntosh currently is on the active/physically unable to perform list. He tore the ACL in his left knee during a training camp practice 366 days ago.The Seahawks made McIntosh a seventh-round pick in 2023, and he injured his knee in his first training camp. He played only 13 special teams snaps in three games as a rookie.In 2024, McIntosh appeared in every game, playing 75 offensive snaps and 173 on special teams. He rushed for 172 yards on 31 carries and caught three passes for 22 yards, while returning six kickoffs for 153 yards.The Seahawks drafted Jadarian Price in the first round and signed Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Eventually, Zach Charbonnet will return from his torn ACL.

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NEW YORK (AP) Francisco Lindor homered twice and tripled off the top of the fence, driving in six runs as the New York Mets pulled away for a 14-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.Marcus Semien hit a long two-run homer that snapped a 3-all tie in the sixth inning. Tyrone Taylor extended his tear at the plate with a three-run drive in the seventh as the last-place Mets (45-62) matched a season high with 19 hits and hammered a first-place opponent for the second consecutive day.Taylor and Semien each had a three-run homer Sunday, when New York beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3. Lindor, Semien, Taylor, Bo Bichette and rookie A.J. Ewing had three hits apiece as the Mets scored double-digit runs for the 10th time this season.Rookie starter Zac Thornton (2-1) allowed three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out five and walked one in his fifth big league start.Lindor hit an RBI triple off the top of the right-field wall and a two-run homer to left in his first two at-bats against Atlanta starter Martn Prez. The star shortstop then gave the Mets their final three runs with a towering drive into the left-field seats off reliever Connor Thomas (0-1) to cap a five-run eighth.It was Lindors 23rd career multihomer game and first since Aug. 15 last year against Seattle. The switch-hitter had six RBIs for the fourth time and first since April 14, 2023. It was the first time he's had two homers and a triple in one game.Ozzie Albies hit a tying homer for the Braves in the fourth and drove in all three of their runs.Atlanta star Ronald Acua Jr. returned to the lineup after missing 37 games with a strained left hamstring and went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts.Prez yielded three runs and eight hits in five innings. Thomas was tagged for 11 runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings, and Atlanta used infielder Jorge Mateo on the mound to finish the eighth.Up nextAtlanta LHP Chris Sale (11-6, 2.19 ERA) opposes New York RHP Christian Scott (3-2, 3.13) on Tuesday night.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Munich, Germany - May 16: Bara Sapoko Ndiaye of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrate after winning with the Trophy after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Mnchen and 1. FC Kln at Allianz Arena on May 16, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesAfter Leon Goretzkas departure, questions were raised over who would take his spot in the midfield. Following an impressive season on loan at Hannover, many thought Nol Asko Nkili would be the man for the job. However, the 20-year-old midfielder was sold to Eintracht Frankfurt leaving many scratching their heads. It seems as though Bayern had Goretzkas replacement lined up since the start of the year. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye impressed in his cameo appearances towards the end of Bayerns season. So much so that Die Rekordmeister decided to sign the 18-year-old talent from Gambian academy Gambino Stars Africa permanently. Bayern Munich Sporting Director Christoph Freund confirmed the signing on Saturday, reports two days later confirming that Ndiaye signed a five-year contract.Now according to Florian Plettenberg (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), we know how much Bayern paid for Ndiaye.Bara Sapoko Ndiaye to FC Bayern is done for at least 3-4m on a 5-year contract until 2031. The Senegalese midfielder attracted interest from other clubs after the World Cup, but he was determined to join Bayern permanently. Hes set to take Leon Goretzkas squad spotBayern Munich have a history of signing elite midfield talents for a bargain price. In 2014 Xabi Alonso was signed for 9m from Real Madrid, becoming an instant favourite among fans. Just one year later Bayern made one of their greatest bargain signings in the clubs modern history, securing Joshua Kimmich for 8.5m from VfB Stuttgart.Has Bayern struck gold once again with Bara Sapoko Ndiaye? Well have to wait and see, but the 18-year-old certainly looks to be an exciting talent.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:New, improved notifications system!Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community posts

Since the early days when the sport was anything but a mainstream endeavor, the MMA industry has thrived and survived through various websites, forums, and perhaps most importantly social-media platforms.Fighters interact with fans, each other and many more through the likes of X, Facebook and Instagram, which helps outsiders get a deeper look into the minds of the athletes.Following Saturday's UFC Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi, several of the winning and losing fighters, along with their coaches, training partners or family members, took to social media to react to the event or share a message with supporters.Check out some of those reactions.The defeated: Cody GibsonView this post on Instagram

WSL: Oona Siren new contract with West Ham outlines club ambition for 2026/27 season and beyondWest Ham United have confirmed thatOona Siren has signed a new two-year contract, with the Finland international committing her future to the Hammers until the summer of 2028.The announcement is another positive step for the club as preparations continue for the 2026/27 Barclays Womens Super League season. While summer transfer windows are often defined by new signings, securing the futures of established players is equally important. West Ham have ensured one of their most dependable performers will remain in east London for years to come.Since arriving from Norwegian side LSK Kvinner in September 2024, Siren has become one of the most influential players in the squad. Calm in possession, intelligent without the ball and relentless in her work rate, the midfielder has developed into a player her teammates can rely on every single week.The new deal also comes at an exciting time for the club following the appointment ofRita Guarinoas head coach. As the experienced Italian prepares for her first campaign in charge, keeping a player of Sirens quality provides an important foundation to build upon.Oona Siren happy to continue her journey with West HamAfter signing her new contract, Siren spoke of her happiness at remaining with West Ham. She made it clear she believes there is still plenty to achieve in claret and blue.The midfielder explained that she feels settled in east London and has enjoyed every aspect of her time at West Ham since arriving almost two years ago. She also praised the people around the club, highlighting the environment that has helped her continue developing both on and off the pitch.Those comments will no doubt be welcomed by supporters. Modern football moves quickly, and players frequently change clubs in search of new opportunities. However, Sirens decision to commit her future suggests she believes West Ham is the right place to continue her development.That confidence appears to be shared by the club. Offering the Finland international a new contract demonstrates just how highly she is regarded. Not only for what she has already achieved, but also for the role she can play in the years ahead.Embed from Getty ImagesA move that has worked perfectly for both sidesWhen West Ham signed Siren from LSK Kvinner in September 2024, the club knew they were bringing in a midfielder with an excellent reputation.She had already enjoyed success in Finland with KuPS before continuing her development in Norway. There, she gained valuable experience in both league and European football.Stepping into the Womens Super League, however, presents a completely different challenge. The pace is faster. The physical battles are tougher. Every opponent has quality throughout the squad.Despite those demands, Siren adapted impressively and has continued to grow season after season. Rather than simply finding her feet in English football, she has become one of the teams most dependable performers.Looking back now, the move has proved to be an excellent piece of recruitment by West Ham.Why Oona Siren is so importantEvery successful team needs balance in midfield.While attacking players often receive the headlines for scoring goals, midfielders are responsible for controlling matches, protecting the defence and linking play between the two penalty areas.That is exactly what Siren brings to this West Ham side. She rarely panics when receiving possession. Instead, she constantly scans the pitch, looks for the best option and keeps the ball moving.Her passing may not always be spectacular, but it is consistently effective. She understands when to slow the game down and when to increase the tempo, giving West Ham far greater control during matches.Without the ball, she is equally valuable. Her positioning allows her to intercept passes before attacks develop, while her willingness to press opponents often forces mistakes high up the pitch.She also covers an enormous amount of ground throughout 90 minutes, helping teammates defensively before immediately supporting attacks when possession is regained.Those qualities are not always reflected in statistics. However, they are exactly the reasons coaches place so much trust in players like Siren.Embed from Getty ImagesConsistency has become her trademarkOne of Sirens biggest strengths is consistency.Every squad has players capable of producing moments of brilliance. Far fewer players are able to perform at a high level every single week. Siren has become one of those dependable footballers.Whether West Ham are facing title challengers or teams lower down the table, supporters know exactly what they will get from the Finland international.Siren competes for every ball. She works tirelessly for her teammates. She makes intelligent decisions under pressure, and she never hides when the game becomes difficult. Those characteristics make her an invaluable player.Rita Guarino inherits a player she can build aroundThe arrival of Rita Guarino represents the beginning of a new era at West Ham.The former Juventus head coach arrives with an outstanding reputation after enjoying significant success in Italy, and one of her first priorities will be building a squad capable of competing consistently in the Womens Super League.Thankfully for Guarino, she already has several high-quality players at her disposal. Siren is undoubtedly among them.Midfielders who combine technical quality with tactical intelligence are incredibly valuable.Siren has shown she can perform in different systems and fulfil a variety of roles depending on what the team requires. Whether playing deeper to protect the defence or slightly further forward to support attacks, she brings calmness and discipline to the middle of the pitch.Those qualities should make her one of the key players under Guarino. Rather than beginning a new project from scratch, the Italian coach inherits a footballer capable of becoming one of the leaders of her squad.Experience beyond her yearsAlthough Siren is still only 24 years old, she already possesses significant experience. She has won league titles in Finland and represented them on the international stage. She has also competed in European football. Each of those experiences has helped shape the player West Ham supporters now see every weekend.International football, in particular, continues to play an important role in her development. Testing herself against different styles of play and some of Europes strongest players ensures she continues learning and improving.Those experiences naturally benefit West Ham whenever she returns from international duty. With many of her best years still ahead of her, there is every reason to believe Siren can continue reaching even higher levels.Embed from Getty ImagesA statement of intent from West HamRetaining important players sends a message it tells supporters the club wants to build rather than restructure.It tells potential new signings there is stability within the squad. It also gives the coaching staff the continuity required to implement their ideas.Oona Sirens new contractachieves all three. Instead of allowing uncertainty to surround one of their most influential players, West Ham have acted early and secured her future.That provides valuable stability heading into an important season under a new head coach.Every successful team is built around a dependable core of players. Siren has unquestionably earned her place within that group.What this means for the season aheadExpectations around West Ham continue to grow. Supporters have seen encouraging progress in recent seasons and will hope the team can continue moving in the right direction under Guarino. Having players like Siren available will be essential.Her ability to control games, protect the defence and provide composure in midfield will become even more important as West Ham look to compete consistently against the leagues strongest sides.The club will also benefit from the understanding she has already developed with her teammates. That familiarity cannot be underestimated.While new signings often require time to settle, Siren already knows what is expected and can help those arriving this summer adapt more quickly.Leadership is not always about wearing the captains armband. Sometimes it comes from setting standards every day in training and delivering reliable performances every weekend. Siren has shown those qualities throughout her time at West Ham.Embed from Getty ImagesLooking to the futureWith her future now secure until 2028, Siren can focus entirely on helping West Ham continue progressing.She has already established herself as one of the teams most reliable midfielders, but there is every reason to believe her best football is still to come.The next chapter promises to be an exciting one, with a new manager and a refreshed squad, along with fresh ambitions.For West Ham supporters, securing theSiren on a new contractis one of the best pieces of business the club could have completed this summer. Keeping one of the squads most consistent performers gives Guarino a strong platform to build from as she begins her first season in charge.For the player, it is recognition of the hard work she has put in since joining the club. For West Ham, it is another statement that they are determined to build a squad capable of competing with the very best in the Womens Super League.And for the supporters, it is confirmation that one of their most admired midfielders will continue wearing claret and blue for the foreseeable future.Related articles from Her Football Hub:West Ham Female Player Pathway celebrates historic season as Katie Zelem and Laia Codina inspire future starsMelvine Malard departs Man United for club-record sale and joins WSL rivals ChelseaFulham preparing for next chapter as historic rise continues following season double

The 2026 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is just one week away. On Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, teams will no longer be able to enter into trades with one another for the rest of the season.That means the clock is ticking for contenders to decide what they will do in order to bolster their team, and clubs that have more of a grim outlook for the rest of the season must choose whether or not some contracts need to be dealt to acquire more controllable talent.Atop the list of contenders are the Los Angeles Dodgers, who, at the time of writing, are 67-39 and maintain a half-game advantage over the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in baseball. The Dodgers already have a lot of star power, but their goal might require additional help.Los Angeles has the once-in-a-lifetime chance to three-peat as World Series champions, which would make it the first organization since the 1998-00 New York Yankees to do so. If the Dodgers accomplish it, they would join the Yankees and the Athletics as the only organizations in MLB to accomplish such a feat.So, if the Dodgers are going to use the Deadline to get even better, they are going to have to make a sacrifice, and that might mean losing outfielder Ryan Ward to another team.Why might Ward be gone?Recently,The Athletic'sMLB Staff made predictions for all 30 MLB clubs concerning which players from each organization might find themself in a new uniform following the Deadline. For the Dodgers, Ward was named.The Athletic reasons that because the Dodgers listened to offers on Ward earlier in the season, he will likely be available now. On top of having a lot of stars, the Dodgers also produce a very strong farm system with high-level prospects.Therefore, Los Angeles can afford to move someone like Ward to get another player who is immediately ready to contribute to the 40-man roster. The good news for teams that might be interested in Wards services is that he can contribute at the major-league level, too.Ward, 28, made his MLB debut on April 19 and has appeared in 20 games for the Dodgers. He was one of the young players to step into a big role for Los Angeles, and while his numbers werent jumping off the stat sheet, he proved he can hang around.In his 20 appearances, Ward logged a .218 batting average, a .283 on-base percentage, a .455 slugging percentage and a .738 OPS. Again, not the best numbers, but his OPS is above league average.The Athletic's MLB Staff praises Ward for his consistency in Triple-A, where he has slashed .254/.362/.440 with an .802 OPS in 65 games. Therefore, he can be a solid bargaining chip for the Dodgers.Join the CommunityDon't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!

A squirrel caused quite a bit of chaos at Comerica Park on Monday night.A black squirrel managed to break down onto the field during the Detroit Tigers 8-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, and it led the grounds crew on a massive chase in the outfield. Orioles outfielder Leody Taveras even had to get in on the action, but he couldnt quite catch the elusive animal with his glove.But perhaps the best part of the loose squirrel was Jason Benettis call of the scene from the booth. Check it out:It took the entire Tigers grounds crew and Orioles outfielder Leody Taveras to remove this squirrel from the fieldHome plate umpire Bill Miller even asked the crowd for a round of applause for the grounds crew pic.twitter.com/v1230aOIvj Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 28, 2026No, I wont be hemmed in! I have freedom on my mind! Benetti yelled.Eventually, they managed to track the squirrel down and got it out of the stadium so the game could continue.Baltimore hit three homers in the win, two of which came in the fifth, to secure the three-run win. That pushed them to 52-55 on the year, though they are still in fourth in the AL East standings. The Tigers have lost three straight, and are in fourth in the AL Central race at 50-57 on the year.Though they didnt get the win, Tigers fans in attendance on Monday night were all in on the extra member of the outfield. Naturally, signs started popping up everywhere.SQUIRREL!!!!! @tigerspic.twitter.com/CeDRM5Oboj skubalknows (@skubalknows) July 28, 2026Rally Squirrel has been suspended for 80 games after PEDs were found in its system after a routine drug test. Detroit Tigers mascot, Paws, is demanding an appeal. pic.twitter.com/kdBINnTH5Q Cyborg Cabrera (@Cyborg_Cabrera) July 28, 2026Free the squirrel!

Rodtang The Iron Man Jitmuangnon has re-committed himself to the promotion that made him a global phenomenon, and the timing could not be more significant.The former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion has produced some of the most electric wars fans have ever witnessed, a big part of that coming down to his forward-marching, never-back-down style that has captured the attention of millions worldwide.Add in a seemingly indestructible chin that lets him walk through fire while landing his own haymakers, and it becomes clear why The Iron Man couldnt be a more apt moniker for the Thai megastar.Across 20 appearances under the promotional banner, he has featured in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and even a mixed-rules super-fight against ONE Hall of Famer and MMA GOAT Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson.Now, at 29 years old and officially back in the fold, the matchmaking possibilities are endless for the 274-win veteran. Here are five fighters who could be next in line to share the global stage with him.#1 Aslamjon OrtikovView this post on InstagramRodtangs fan-friendly approach constantly inviting opponents to trade with him in the pocket makes for a fascinating contrast against one of the divisions trickiest striking wizards in Aslamjon El Pantera Ortikov.The Uzbekistani slugger has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving on the global stage, and a fight of this magnitude for the Thai is exactly the kind of clash of styles that would set him abuzz.Few fighters possess his combination of volume, power, and sheer refusal to back down, and a win over a live threat like Ortikov would instantly reestablish him as the measuring stick every contender in the division has to answer to.Ortikov, meanwhile, is fired up to return to winning ways after suffering his first loss in a bid for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, falling just short against newly crowned king Asadula The Dagestan Ninja Imangazaliev in the main event of The Inner Circle 20 last month.#2 SuperlekView this post on InstagramFight fans have spent years hoping for a sequel between Rodtang and ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion The Kicking Machine Superlek after the instant classic the two produced in their first meeting. What better time to do it than now, with Rodtang inking a new deal with the promotion and Superlek eager to rediscover his winning groove.That first showdown at ONE Friday Fights 34 delivered exactly what a matchup between two pound-for-pound greats should. That evening, Superlek walked away with a hard-fought unanimous decision in the biggest Muay Thai fight in years.Another matchup between the two striking geniuses would carry every bit as much weight today. The Iron Man will be out for revenge while his fellow Thai, who was once considered nearly untouchable, is eager to rebound after three successive losses in the organization.Beyond the personal stakes, a sequel would once again pit two fearless and highly technical strikers, the exact stylistic battle that made their first encounter one for the ages. Nine minutes of pure excellence made the first meeting nearly impossible to score, and there is no reason to expect a sequel would be any different.#3 Nong-O HamaView this post on InstagramFew rivalries blend mutual respect with must-see action quite like Rodtang and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama. The two were set to lock horns late last year, but the fight never came together, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.Since then, Nong-O has continued to prove he remains every bit the force he always was. His surgical striking and unmatched fight IQ remain a puzzle few opponents have ever solved. Rodtang, meanwhile, offers something no one else in the division can. His suffocating forward pressure and volume of attacks would drag even a legend of Nong-Os caliber into the kind of chaotic trenches that have troubled him in the past.It is precisely that contrast, veteran precision against relentless aggression, that made the original booking one of the most anticipated fights in the worlds largest martial arts organization.With Nong-O still chasing another historic ONE World Title reign, and The Iron Mans future now settled, the pieces are already in place for this all-Thai classic to get underway in the near future.#4 Takeru SegawaView this post on InstagramIf Rodtang wants the ultimate return fight, he does not have to look far. The Thai megastar and Takeru Natural Born Krusher Segawa have already given fans two unforgettable kickboxing barnburners. A third will undoubtedly be another thriller.In their first clash, The Iron Man produced one of the most stunning finishes of his career, blitzing the Japanese icon in just 80 seconds at ONE 172. The sequel at ONE SAMURAI 1, meanwhile, saw Takeru put the Jitmuangnon Gym man to sleep in round five to claim the ONE Interim Flyweight Kickboxing World Title and cap off his career on the highest note possible.More recently, the two shared a respectful moment inside the ring during the live broadcast of The Inner Circle 22. That evening, Takeru hinted that he might leave the door open to a possible return. And with Rodtang now back under contract, the storyline practically writes itself.A trilogy between these two would not just settle the rivalry once and for all; it would also give fans the chance to see two of the sports most beloved icons share the ring one final time, this time with nothing left unsaid between them.#5 Yuki YozaView this post on InstagramFans have been clamoring for a matchup between Yuki Yoza and The Iron Man for some time now, and there is no reason to keep them waiting any longer.Yoza has steadily built one of the most impressive runs since joining ONE Championship, extending his unbeaten surge to six years, which only came to an end against Rodtangs longtime nemesis, reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan The General Haggerty, at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April.Where Yoza thrives on distance and timing, Rodtang lives to close it, marching forward behind heavy hands and an iron chin that has broken the will of far more experienced strikers.Beyond the pure stylistic intrigue, both men would walk away with plenty to gain. A win would give Yoza another marquee name to add to his growing list of scalps, while the Jitmuangnon Gym man would relish the chance to prove he can still hang with the very best as he works his way back toward the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title.Source

Cape Verdes diaspora takes centre stage at WAFCON 2026Briu is a Cape Verdean Creole word that can mean grit, determination, drive, focus or energy. Thats how national team forward Sandra Soares-Martins describes the mood in camp as her side prepares for its first-ever WAFCON match.But such is the rise of the countrys national teams as a whole within the past decade, briu could be used to describe the Cape Verdean Football Federation.While the mens side were making history competing in a first-ever senior World Cup, the womens team were busy putting the final touches to their preparations to create yet more history for the island nation.How Cape Verde reached its first WAFCONThe newly expanded 16-team tournament is underway in Morocco after kicking off Sunday, July 26, following a delay from March.The Confederation of African Football (CAF) expanded the tournament from 12 to 16 teams after qualification ended. Before that decision, Cape Verde secured their place in Morocco by winning two-legged ties against Guinea and Mali.Silvria Ndios side are in Group D alongside Ghana, World Cup veterans Cameroon, and Mali who, alongside Cameroon, were among the late beneficiaries of the expansion from 12 to 16 teams.At the heart of Cape Verdes campaign are Soares-Martins and Alivia Kelly. Both followed unconventional paths to the national team, a common thread in Cape Verdean football.Alivia Kelly (3) and Sandra Soares-Martins (21) are among the diaspora players representing Cape Verde at the countrys first WAFCON.Two paths into Cape Verdes national teamThe story of the duo is the story of countries such as Cape Verde in microcosm: the diaspora returning to help their ancestral home.Soares-Martins route through Portugal and EnglandSoares-Martins footballing journey started early on in life in Portugal. I started playing football from the age of 6 years old, although my mom claims since being in her belly Ive always had a strong kick, she says.Having joined her local team, Trajouce 4 Linhas, a lack of facilities for girls meant she ended up playing with boys and older players until she moved to Estoril De Praia. Local recognition followed with the Lisbon District team and international honours werent far behind with Portugals under-16 team.Soares-Martins studies as well as football took her to England. Moving to London, she joined Hackney Laces before moving to Crystal Palace in 2017. A year later, she made her WSL 2 debut against Aston Villa.She later played for Leeds while attending university, followed by stints with Sheffield United, Bradford City, AFC Wimbledon and Dorking Wanderers. She now plays for London Bees, where she scored 13 goals last season.In October of last year, Soares-Martins made her Cape Verde debut as they overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit, beating Mali 4-2 in the second leg to seal their first-ever WAFCON spot.Kellys journey from Boston to Cape VerdeKellys path is different still. Her grandmother moved from the island of Fogo to Boston when she was a child, along with her family, where they put down roots. As a result, Kelly was born and raised in the United States. She earned a full scholarship to play Division I college soccer at the University of New Hampshire and also at North Carolina State University.The 24-year-old began her pro career in 2024 with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women. Following a long-term injury, she moved to FC Slovcko in 2025 in the Czech top division.Kelly has now left Slovcko, so will be hoping to use the tournament to put herself in the shop window.How the diaspora strengthened Cape VerdeThe Cape Verdean diaspora is something both Soares-Martins and Kelly pinpoint as part of the teams success.This has been crystallised by the mens team in recent years especially with the addition of Irish-born Pico Lopes. The defender was contacted via LinkedIn by the national team manager in 2019 and starred in the World Cup in the United States.We have added more players each year, some from abroad like me. This helps grow the federation and makes each camp more competitive and exciting for everyone, Kelly concludes.Soares-Martins agrees, adding, Recently weve had a great input from staff and players from the diaspora. People with experience outside and within Cape Verde have worked well together to combine their skills, lessons and knowledge to strengthen our team across all levels of performance.Carrying earlier players work forwardWhen talking about their feelings of making history, a similar theme emerges with both players. Its one that encompasses the past, present and future.Its a feeling of accomplishment and hope for the present but mainly for future generations who want to pursue football in big stages in Cape Verde, Soares-Martins tells me.Being a recent joiner of the team makes me be super thankful of the hard work from those who were here from the beginning, she notes. She adds that all the newbies carry their passion and their dedication in the same way as they look to build a lasting legacy for future generations.As a newer addition, Kelly fully recognises what her predecessors built. Although I wasnta part of the group who helped us qualify, I hold a great responsibility for the people who came before and made this dream a reality for us.Summing up the mood within Cape Verdean football at the moment, she says, It is a very exciting time to be a part of this federation and to have qualified for our first-ever WAFCON. I am excited to experience a major tournament alongside these girls and compete against Africas best teams for a chance to go to the World Cup.Cape Verdes path to the 2027 World CupThe tournament also serves as a qualification campaign for the 2027 FIFA Womens World Cup in Brazil.The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically, while the losing quarterfinalists will play for two places in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.So could Cape Verde make more history? Unsurprisingly, theres an air of optimism in the camp. They have to get out of the group first, something which both see as an achievable aim.Why Cape Verde believes it can advanceSoares-Martins rates their chances as pretty good. But she acknowledges that they are underdogs and how far they have come in just eight years.Kelly too is both optimistic and aware of the task that lies ahead. I believe in football any team can win on any given day. No doubt it is a tall task, but we will continue to do everything in our power to compete against every opposition.The World Cup is a goal Kelly says the players are thinking about. I think Brazil 2027 is definitely present on everyones minds and the whole group wants to make more history. Watching the men make history on the biggest stage will undoubtedly give us more belief that anything is possible.Nothing is impossible. We saw it with the mens, so why fear!If they are to qualify as one of the semi-finalists, theyll have to do it the hard way. Most likely, a tie with either defending champions Nigeria or a Barbra Banda-led Zambia awaits in the quarter-finals.Nonetheless, Soares-Martins is bullish, insisting they have nothing to fear. Nothing is impossible. We saw it with the mens, so why fear! We definitely can do it. Same energy and same diligence. It will be hard work, but we have the ability to do it!What WAFCON could mean for Cape Verdes domestic gameWeve seen over the past number of years the effect on domestic football that a successful international can have on a country.The Lionesses experienced it off the back of hosting and winning the 2022 European Championship. There was a similar uptick in the A-League Women in 2023 as the Matildas made the semi-finals of a home World Cup.Soares-Martins and Kelly are hoping for a positive effect on Cape Verdes domestic league.Kelly is optimistic for the future. The domestic league and young players will undoubtedly grow from this as women in sports continue to gain a larger following from supporters, the government, and people from all over the world.Soares-Martins, meanwhile, is hopeful that the tournament will lead to creating the right infrastructures to have longer seasons where players and coaches can visualise their development, achievements and impact their local teams.Building a lasting future for Cape Verde footballSo what does the future look like? How does this groundbreaking qualification become more regular- mundane even? And how does the country build on this more generally?Kelly is clear: Long-term investment from the government and federation will go a long way for us as players.Soares-Martins would like the federation to further tap into the diaspora: We could create incentives that attract experienced Cabo Verdean professionals back to the country to mentor players/staff and club directors.The 2026 Womens Africa Cup of Nations is underway with broadcast partners around the world. RTCV will carry matches in Cape Verde, while Channel 4 has announced coverage for UK viewers.Related articles from Her Football Hub:The ultimate WAFCON 2026 preview: Teams, players and storylines to watch this yearLiga MX Femenil has a new name and format for 2026 heres what changedCAF invests in efforts to improve leadership of womens football associations across Africa