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Cape Verde has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history after defeating Eswatini 3-0 on Monday, October 13, in Praia.
The win secured Cape Verde’s place at the 2026 World Cup and confirmed their top spot in Group D with 23 points, four ahead of second-placed Cameroon. Cameroon, Africa’s most frequent World Cup participant, drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaoundé.
With a population of just over 550,000, Cape Verde becomes the second smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup, after Iceland in 2018.
Cape Verde’s goals came in the second half. Dailon Livramento opened the scoring just after halftime, followed by a close-range finish from Willy Semedo in the 54th minute. Substitute Stopira added a third goal in stoppage time.
The win marked the end of a strong qualifying campaign for Cape Verde, who recovered from a slow start — including a draw with Angola and a heavy loss to Cameroon — to win five consecutive matches and top the group.
Head coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Brito, who has led the team since 2020, described the qualification as a major milestone for the country. Under his leadership, Cape Verde also reached the knockout stages in the 2022 and 2024 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
The national team, known as the Blue Sharks, includes many players born abroad to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents, drawing talent from countries such as the Netherlands, France, Portugal, and Luxembourg.
Cape Verde will join Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
