Cape Verde have made history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the very first time following a 3–0 victory over Eswatini on Monday.
The island nation, with a population of just 550,000, becomes the smallest African country ever to reach football’s biggest stage.
The Blue Sharks topped Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who were held to a goalless draw by Angola in Yaoundé.
After a dominant but goalless first half in Praia, Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo struck early in the second half to put Cape Verde in control, before Stopira sealed the emphatic win in added time.
Livramento, born in Rotterdam, and Semedo, born near Paris, are among several players in the squad born abroad to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents, reflecting the team’s wide global reach.
Despite a poor start to the qualifiers—including a 0–0 draw with Angola and a 4–1 defeat to Cameroon—Cape Verde bounced back impressively, winning five straight matches, including key victories against Angola and Cameroon.
The triumph sparked wild celebrations in Praia, as the team’s remarkable journey from underdogs to World Cup debutants captured the imagination of fans across Africa.
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