Why is 'CPV' used for Cape Verde at World Cup?

Editor's note: Keep up with the Argentina-Cape Verde game with our live blog, here.

>Cape Verde has captivated the world's attention during the Blue Sharks' incredible World Cup debut, which has taken them all the way to the round of 32 to play Argentina.

>If you've watched Vozinha and company's games, you've probably noticed that the scoreboard abbreviates the African island nation as "CPV."

>The three-letter country code stands for Cabo Verde, the nation's Portuguese name — and the one used by FIFA, even though many English-speaking fans (and USA TODAY) call the country Cape Verde.

>Argentina and Cape Verde meet in the World Cup round of 32 as the knockout stage raises the stakes for both sides.

See moments from the match as Lionel Messi and Argentina look to move one step closer to the title.

Above, An Argentine fan cheers ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 3, 2026.

>Argentina and Cape Verde meet in the World Cup round of 32 as the knockout stage raises the stakes for both sides.

See moments from the match as Lionel Messi and Argentina look to move one step closer to the title.

Above, An Argentine fan cheers ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 3, 2026.

>Argentina and Cape Verde meet in the World Cup round of 32 as the knockout stage raises the stakes for both sides.

See moments from the match as Lionel Messi and Argentina look to move one step closer to the title.

Above, An Argentine fan cheers ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 3, 2026.

>FIFA assigns a three-letter code to each of its member associations, and many differ from traditional English spellings. For example, Morocco is "MAR" and DR Congo is "COD." The Olympics does this, too.

>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is 'CPV' used for Cape Verde at World Cup?