A member of the Cape Verde national football team is under investigation in New Zealand following an alleged sexual assault incident during the FIFA Series in March, according to reports from local media.
New Zealand journalist Michael Burgess of the New Zealand Herald reports that the alleged incident occurred after Cape Verde’s match against Chile on March 27 in Auckland. The game, played at Eden Park, ended in a 4-2 defeat for the Cape Verde side.
It is alleged that the incident took place at the team’s hotel hours after the match. The identity of the player involved has not been made public.
The New Zealand Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.
“An allegation is under investigation, reported to us on April 10, 2026, in central Auckland. We are unable to comment further at this time,” police said, according to the New Zealand Herald.
Reports also claim the player involved is expected to be part of Cape Verde’s squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup debut.
A source close to the complainant told the New Zealand Herald that the individual involved has been “struggling to cope” following the incident.
FIFA has not confirmed whether it will launch its own investigation, stating that it is “way too early” to comment. The world football governing body also said it had contacted the New Zealand Football Association, the host federation for the FIFA Series.
Both the FIFA and football authorities in New Zealand and Cape Verde have so far declined to comment further.
Cape Verde recently secured qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup after topping their qualifying group ahead of Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Mauritius, and eSwatini.
At the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, they have been drawn into Group F alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
