Cape Verde Makes History as Second-Smallest Nation to Qualify for World Cup*

Cape Verde has made history by becoming the second-smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, defeating Eswatini 3-0 at home to secure their place in the 2026 tournament. The Blue Sharks topped their qualifying group ahead of African giants Cameroon, sparking jubilant celebrations in the 15,000-capacity National Stadium in Praia.

Dailon Livramento opened the scoring early in the second half, tapping in from close range, before Willy Semedo volleyed in a second. Veteran defender Stopira sealed the victory with a late third goal, ensuring Cape Verde’s passage to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

With a population of just under 525,000, according to World Bank figures, Cape Verde is the second-smallest country to reach the World Cup after Iceland. The archipelago of 10 Atlantic Ocean islands first attempted to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and has since punched above its weight, reaching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023.

Last month’s 1-0 win over Cameroon put Cape Verde in pole position, and despite a 3-3 draw against Libya in their previous match, the Blue Sharks capitalized on their second chance against Eswatini. They become the sixth African side to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup.

President Jose Maria Neves attended the match, where the home crowd endured a tense first half before Livramento’s goal lifted the atmosphere. Semedo’s strike further ignited the celebrations, which continued until the final whistle. Defender Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes credited Africa’s increased World Cup slots (now nine) for aiding Cape Verde’s qualification.

Cape Verde has relied on players from its diaspora, including those discovered through unconventional means—Lopes himself was first contacted via LinkedIn. The squad, led by long-serving coach Bubista, lacks stars from Europe’s top leagues but boasts a cohesive unit that upset Ghana and drew with Egypt at AFCON 2023.

Cape Verde now joins Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana as qualified African teams, with the World Cup draw set for December 4 in Washington D.C. The nation’s football success follows its first Olympic medal, won by boxer David de Pina at Paris 2024.

Cameroon, meanwhile, faces a tough path to qualification, needing to navigate both African and inter-confederation playoffs after poor away results. Cape Verde’s win marks a new milestone for the island nation’s growing sporting ambitions.