A shocking sexual assault allegation against Cape Verde’s team captain, Ryan Mendes, has cast a dark shadow over the country’s historic 2026 World Cup run.
According to a report by Brazilian news outlet Globo, the 36-year-old forward allegedly assaulted a Brazilian translator hired by the team during a FIFA Series trip to Auckland, New Zealand, in March.
The Allegations
The unnamed translator stated that the incident occurred following a match against Chile on March 27. After leaving what she initially thought was an official team meeting but turned out to be a social gathering, the woman claims Mendes followed her to her hotel room.
According to statements provided to the New Zealand Police, Mendes allegedly forced his way inside, choked, punched, and bit her before raping her. The woman later sought treatment at a specialized clinic for sexual violence survivors, where a forensic examination documented extensive bruising on her neck, breasts, and lips, alongside physical trauma.
Silence from Soccer Authorities
The victim and her husband reportedly submitted the forensic medical reports to both FIFA and the Cape Verdean Football Federation on May 10, requesting that Mendes be barred from World Cup participation.
The translator claims she has received no response from either organization. Furthermore, she stated that she reported the attack to three separate Cape Verdean soccer officials immediately following the incident, all of whom allegedly ignored her.
Ongoing Investigations
While the New Zealand Herald previously confirmed that local authorities were investigating a sexual assault involving a member of the Cape Verde squad, Mendes had not been publicly named until now.
When reached for comment, a FIFA spokesperson confirmed that governing bodies are currently in contact with New Zealand authorities.
”FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident,” the spokesperson said, though they declined to comment further on the active investigation.
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The allegations emerge at a devastating time for Cape Verde’s national team. The squad has been the definitive “feel-good story” of the 2026 World Cup, capturing global attention after holding powerhouse Spain to a 0-0 draw and becoming the smallest nation in history to qualify for the tournament’s knockout rounds.