Cape Verde have made history by becoming the second smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, after a 3–0 victory over Eswatini in Praia secured top spot in their group and a place at the 2026 finals ahead of Cameroon.
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring early in the second half, with Willy Semedo doubling the lead shortly after. Veteran defender Stopira sealed the win in stoppage time, sparking jubilant celebrations at the 15,000-capacity National Stadium.
With a population of just under 525,000, the Atlantic island nation will make their World Cup debut in 2026, joining Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana as confirmed African qualifiers. Only Iceland, who reached the 2018 World Cup, has ever qualified from a smaller country.
The Blue Sharks’ qualification caps a steady rise under coach Bubista, in charge since 2020. The former international has moulded a disciplined and confident team that impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in 2023 after notable results against Ghana and Egypt.
Cape Verde’s President, José Maria Neves, joined fans in celebration as the nation achieved a milestone long in the making since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975.
Attention now turns to the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. on December 4, where Cape Verde will discover their group opponents.
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