Cape Verde Qualifies For FIFA World Cup For First Time

Cape Verde have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, sealing their spot at the 2026 tournament with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini. Second-half goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and veteran Stopira did the job in Praia, as the Blue Sharks capped off a fairytale qualification campaign. The result sent the island nation into wild celebration, with the team finishing top of their group and edging out African giants Cameroon in the process. 

The win means Cape Verde top Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who were held to a goalless draw at home by Angola. The Indomitable Lions, who have appeared at the World Cup a record eight times for an African nation, must now fight for a spot through the play-offs.

With a population of just over 525,000, Cape Verde becomes the second-smallest country ever to reach a World Cup after Iceland in 2018. The country’s President, Jose Maria Neves, was in the stands as the team made history in front of a sellout crowd, and the government even declared a half-day public holiday so citizens could watch the match.

Cape Verde’s campaign has been impressive throughout. They beat Cameroon last month and nearly secured qualification early, but were denied by a controversial offside call in a 3-3 draw with Libya. Still, they held their nerve when it mattered most.

The 2026 tournament, to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA, will be the first to feature 48 teams instead of the typical 32, with Africa guaranteed nine direct places. That change proved crucial, as defender Roberto “Pico” Lopes explained: “Traditionally, it’s been difficult to qualify for the World Cup, especially in Africa where you had to finish first [in your group] to have a chance… This time, if you finish first, you’re in.”

The team’s rise has been built on diaspora recruitment, with many players based overseas. Their domestic league features just 12 clubs, and none of the current national squad plays in Europe's top five leagues.

Despite these challenges, Cape Verde has steadily grown into a competitive side in Africa. They’ve reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals twice (2013 and 2023), and coach Bubista – who has been in charge since 2020 – has crafted a compact and technically gifted team.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the achievement, calling it a “historic moment”, adding: “Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.”

Cape Verde now joins Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana as confirmed African qualifiers for 2026, with three more slots still to be decided.

The World Cup draw will take place on December 4th in Washington D.C., where the Blue Sharks will find out who they'll face on football’s biggest stage.