Boston and Providence Area Gamblers Look to Cash Out Big on Cape Verde Beating Argentina as Big 10-1 Underdogs

• A sizeable Cape Verde population in the Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island area will assure plenty of bets come in on Cape Verde to beat the World Cup favorites Friday

• Cape Verde will pay out just over US$1000 for every US$100 bet should it happen

While most of the U.S. - and the rest of the world for that matter - will be backing Argentina to win against Cape Verde Friday, Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts gamblers are likely to keep the betting balanced. 

New England is the heart of the Cape Verdean diaspora in the U.S., especially Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and even more specifically, Boston, Brockon, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Boston: The community is especially visible in Dorchester, Roxbury, and nearby Brockton. Boston’s Cape Verdean population grew heavily after Cape Verde’s 1975 independence, and Cape Verdeans are described as Boston’s largest African immigrant group.

Brockton is often called the “11th island” because of its huge Cape Verdean population. It has become a major celebration point during Cape Verde’s World Cup run.  In fact, Brockton could compete with the crowds here in Miami Beach at Gambling911.com Headquarters rooting for Argentina.  We should note that Argentina bettors will need to fork over the big bucks as their team comes in priced at a steep -1800 (instead get Lionel Messi to score an anytime goal at -210 or a first goal with a payout of US$150 for every US$100 bet). 

Cape Verdeans have deep roots in Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Central Falls and Cranston. Rhode Island’s Cape Verdean history is tied to waterfront labor, maritime work, churches, music, and neighborhood institutions.

There is also New Bedford and the South Coast.  It is home to one of the oldest Cape Verdean hubs, linked to whaling, shipping and Atlantic migration. New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton and Wareham remain important cultural centers.

Cape Verde’s 2026 World Cup run has become one of the tournament’s best underdog stories, with the tiny island nation reaching the knockout stage in their World Cup debut.  They remain unbeaten with three draws - two goals scored against Uruguay and scoreless outcomes against Spain and Saudi Arabia - coming into Friday's match.

Dare we say, with the huge payout potential, a few South Floridians will even be placing bets on Cape Verde. 

• Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com