Cape Verde World Cup captain under investigation for rape in Auckland
New Zealand police have confirmed an active investigation into an alleged rape involving Ryan Mendes, the captain of Cape Verde’s national football team, who continues to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup while the inquiry proceeds, per The New York Post and multiple international outlets including Brazilian publication GE Globo and French outlet L’Equipe.
The alleged incident occurred on March 27 at the hotel where the Cape Verde delegation was staying in Auckland, New Zealand, during the FIFA Series tournament.
The team was in the country for friendly matches against New Zealand and Chile. A Brazilian woman living in New Zealand had been contracted by the New Zealand Football Federation to serve as translator and operational liaison for the squad.
According to her account filed with New Zealand police, Mendes entered her hotel room and committed the assault, with reports from GE Globo citing testimony that included physical violence. No criminal charges have been filed against Mendes, and he has not publicly responded to the allegations.
According to GE Globo’s reporting, the woman was “Treated at a clinic that assists survivors of sexual violence, the Brazilian woman underwent a forensic examination. The medical report identified multiple bruises (or purple spots) on her breasts, neck, and lips, as well as areas of tenderness on her scalp and buttocks.
“The genital examination revealed ‘two circular lesions, painful to the touch, at the base of the labia minora.’ After receiving assistance from the clinic, which is also providing her with psychological support, the Brazilian woman filed a police report and underwent a forensic examination at the police station. She reports that she contacted the Cape Verdean Football Federation but received no support.”
Cape Verde federation reportedly dismissed the complaint as Mendes’ problem
The investigation has been active since April 10, per police confirmation. Authorities are currently reviewing hotel CCTV footage, witness statements, and forensic reports.
The woman and her husband sent formal extrajudicial notices to both the Cape Verde Football Federation and FIFA on May 10, formally requesting Mendes be removed from the national team and excluded from the tournament.
According to GE Globo’s reporting, the Cape Verde Football Federation did not support the woman following her initial complaint, with one federation official reportedly treating the matter as “Ryan Mendes’ personal problem.”
She has received no formal response from either the Federation or FIFA, per her representatives.
Mendes, 36, has captained Cape Verde in all three of their group stage matches.
The team drew with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia to advance to the Round of 32, where they face Argentina.
He is one appearance from reaching 100 international caps. Cape Verde’s run has been one of the tournament’s more widely celebrated underdog stories, as one of the smallest nations to reach the knockout round in World Cup history.
While the Cape Verde Football Federation has not issued a detailed public statement addressing the investigation, FIFA did issue a statement noting they take misconduct allegations seriously and are in contact with New Zealand authorities, though they declined to comment further on the active investigation.
With Mendes continuing to play and the knockout stage underway, both organizations face mounting pressure to respond to an inquiry that has now been confirmed by police.
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