FIFA Responds to Rape Allegation Against Cape Verde Captain During World Cup

FIFA has confirmed contact with New Zealand authorities following a Brazilian woman's rape accusation against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes. The incident allegedly occurred in March at the team hotel in Auckland, with police investigation ongoing since April 10.

Key Details

• Incident DateMarch 27, 2026
• LocationAuckland team hotel
• Investigation StartApril 10, 2026
• Accused PlayerRyan Mendes, 36
• World Cup StatusStarted all 3 group matches
• Maximum Penalty20 years prison

FIFA Breaks Silence on Serious Allegation

FIFA issued its first statement Saturday night regarding the rape accusation against Cape Verde's captain Ryan Mendes, confirming the organization is in contact with New Zealand police. The statement came hours after Brazilian media outlet ge published detailed reporting on the case.

"FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process for anyone in football who wishes to report an incident," the statement began. The organization emphasized that "independent judicial bodies do not comment on allegations they may or may not have received, nor whether investigations are ongoing."

While FIFA declined to specify which New Zealand authorities it contacted, ge confirmed the entity is coordinating with police in the country. The governing body added it "cannot make further comments at this time."

The accusation centers on events following Cape Verde's March 27 match against Chile during the FIFA Series in Auckland. The Brazilian woman, hired by New Zealand Football as a Portuguese interpreter and operational support for the Cape Verde delegation, alleges the attack occurred in her hotel room after the 4-2 loss to Chile.

The Accusation: What Allegedly Happened

According to the police report filed April 10, the Brazilian interpreter was on 24-hour duty at the team hotel when she was invited to what she believed was a work meeting in one of the team's reserved rooms after the Chile match. Realizing it was a social gathering and feeling physically unwell, she returned to her room.

Shortly after, she heard knocking and opened the door assuming it was a work request. The woman alleges Ryan Mendes entered her room, physically assaulted her with strangulation, punches and bites as she tried to defend herself, and raped her.

The woman photographed visible injuries while still at the hotel: cuts on her mouth, bruises on her neck, leg and torso. A forensic medical examination at a clinic specializing in sexual violence survivors documented "multiple bruises on breasts, neck and lips, areas of sensitivity on the scalp and buttocks," and during the genital exam, "two circular lesions, painful to palpation, at the base of the labia minora."

The victim reports she sought support from the Cape Verde Football Federation but received none. In a text exchange seen by ge, a federation official told her the accusation was "Ryan's personal problem."

Case Timeline

• March 27 Alleged incident occurs in Auckland hotel after Cape Verde's 4-2 loss to Chile
• March 30 Cape Verde plays second FIFA Series match, drawing 1-1 with New Zealand
• April 10 Brazilian woman files police report; investigation officially begins
• May 10 Victim and husband send extrajudicial notifications to Cape Verde Federation and FIFA requesting player's World Cup exclusion
• May 20 Victim completes FIFA's Safeguarding reporting form
• June 2026 Ryan Mendes starts all three World Cup group stage matches for Cape Verde

The Investigation and Legal Process

New Zealand Police confirmed the investigation to ge: "New Zealand Police confirms a report is being investigated, registered on April 10, 2026 in the central Auckland region. We cannot provide further information at this time." Due to strict privacy laws, police do not comment on names of accused individuals.

Investigators have collected hotel security camera footage and are awaiting forensic analysis of the physical examination conducted three months ago before closing the inquiry. A criminal lawyer consulted by the family said this forensic review process can take up to six months.

Under New Zealand law, conviction for sexual violence can result in prison sentences up to 20 years depending on severity. The legal process involves police investigation, determination of sufficient evidence for charges, and if warranted, trial in District Court before either a single judge or jury.

Should charges be filed and an arrest warrant issued, two extradition options exist: placing the name on Interpol's list, allowing arrest at any border or country, or requesting extradition through cooperation agreements. New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with Cape Verde.

Silence From Cape Verde Federation

The Cape Verde Football Federation has not issued any statement. Ge sent five emails to three addresses available on FIFA's system and the federation's website with no response. The press officer said he had no information and responses would need to come from institutional emails.

The outlet contacted three federation officials aware of the case according to text message screenshots with the victim. Only one responded: Gerson Melo, former Development Director, stating he no longer works for the federation and was not in New Zealand with the delegation.

A ge reporter personally approached the federation's press officer in Houston after Cape Verde's match against Saudi Arabia. The official said the entity would not comment on the accusation. The player's agent has also not responded to inquiries.

New Zealand Football, which hosted the March FIFA Series involving Cape Verde, limited its statement to: "We understand this matter is with New Zealand Police, so they would be more appropriate to comment on the situation."

Ryan Mendes Profile

Current Status (Cape Verde Captain)

Started all three World Cup 2026 group stage matches as captain. Cape Verde finished second in Group H and advanced to the knockout round, facing Argentina Friday in Miami.

Club Career (Age 36)

Currently plays for Igdir FK in Turkey's Second Division. Previously played for clubs in Cape Verde (Batuque), France (Le Havre, Lille), England (Nottingham Forest), UAE (Al-Nasr, Al Sharjah) and three other Turkish clubs.

International Experience (Striker)

Competing in Cape Verde's debut World Cup appearance. Previously represented the nation at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments: 2013, 2015, 2022 and 2024.

The Broader Context

The case represents a significant test of FIFA's safeguarding protocols during its marquee tournament. The victim and her husband explicitly requested Mendes's exclusion from the World Cup in their May 10 notification to FIFA, providing their account, evidence and the request for sanction.

Despite filing FIFA's official Safeguarding form on May 20—the mechanism established for reporting misconduct—Mendes appeared in all three of Cape Verde's group matches, wearing the captain's armband.

The incident occurred during the FIFA Series, international friendly matches between national teams from different confederations held simultaneously in eight countries in March. Cape Verde's participation in New Zealand included the March 27 loss to Chile and March 30 draw with New Zealand, with the team staying at the same Auckland hotel throughout.

The Brazilian woman was living in New Zealand with residence and work visas when contracted by New Zealand Football as an interpreter and operational liaison for the Portuguese-speaking Cape Verde team, placing her on 24-hour call at the delegation hotel.

FAQ

No charges have been filed yet. New Zealand Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing since April 10, 2026. Police are awaiting forensic analysis results before deciding whether to present charges to the justice system—a process that can take up to six months according to a criminal lawyer consulted by the victim's family.

FIFA has not suspended or sanctioned Mendes. While the victim explicitly requested his World Cup exclusion in notifications sent to both the Cape Verde Federation and FIFA in May, he started all three group stage matches as captain. FIFA's statement emphasizes that independent judicial bodies don't comment on ongoing investigations, but the organization has not explained its decision-making regarding the player's participation.

The victim photographed visible injuries including cuts and bruises immediately after the alleged incident. A forensic medical examination documented multiple bruises on breasts, neck, lips, scalp and buttocks, plus two painful genital lesions. New Zealand Police collected hotel security camera footage. The victim also preserved text message exchanges with Cape Verde Federation officials and has work contracts proving her presence as the team's interpreter.

It's complicated. If charges are filed and an arrest warrant issued, New Zealand could request his name be placed on Interpol's list, allowing arrest at any international border. However, New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with Cape Verde, which could complicate direct extradition proceedings between the two nations.

This article contains sensitive information about alleged sexual violence. The case remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.