Cape Verde has etched its name in football history, becoming the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup after a commanding 3-0 win against Eswatini at home.
The victory ensured the Blue Sharks topped their qualifying group, clinching a spot at the 2026 World Cup ahead of African powerhouse Cameroon.
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring for the hosts in Praia, tapping in a loose ball inside the six-yard box early in the second half.
Willy Semedo quickly doubled the advantage with a precise volley, and veteran defender Stopira sealed the win with a late strike during stoppage time, sending fans at the 15,000-capacity National Stadium into jubilant celebration.
An island nation of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde has a population of just under 525,000, according to the World Bank.
The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and made its first attempt to reach the World Cup in 2002.
In recent years, the team has exceeded expectations at the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in both their debut in 2013 and again in 2023.
They currently hold the 70th spot in the FIFA world rankings.
Only Iceland, who qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has managed to reach football’s biggest stage with a smaller population.
Last month, a 1-0 home victory over Cameroon had put Cape Verde in pole position in Group D, knowing that just one more win from their final two games would secure qualification to the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The Blue Sharks had narrowly missed their first opportunity last Wednesday, drawing 3-3 with Libya in Tripoli after rallying from a two-goal deficit, only to be denied a stoppage-time winner by a controversial offside call.
Cape Verde made no mistake on their second chance, defeating winless Eswatini in Praia to become the sixth African nation confirmed for next year’s World Cup.
