Cape Verde stunned the world on Monday night, clinching their first-ever place in the FIFA World Cup and becoming the second-smallest country by population to do so.
With a 3-0 home victory over Eswatini in Praia, the island nation topped Group D in the African qualifiers and secured automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The win was sealed in dominant style after a tense first half, as Cape Verde emerged sharply after the break. Dailon Livramento opened the scoring just three minutes after the interval, followed by a goal from Willy Semedo in the 54th minute. Long-serving defender Stopira added a third in stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations across Praia and the islands beyond.
With around 525,000 to 550,000 inhabitants, Cape Verde now holds a special place in football history. Only Iceland, with a smaller population, stands ahead of them in the record books among men’s national teams to have qualified for the World Cup.
Cape Verde also becomes the smallest African country ever to reach the finals by population, marking a proud moment in the nation’s sporting journey.
“This is a victory for all Cape Verdeans,” said head coach Pedro “Bubista” Leitão Brito after the game. “Giving this happiness to these people is enormous. It’s a special moment, especially as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our independence.”
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, now 39, reflected on years of waiting for this achievement. “I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a child,” he said. “Now it’s time to celebrate. This is for every Cape Verdean who believed in us when no one else did.”
The qualification campaign itself had been marked by steady progress, moments of challenge, and ultimately, resilience. Cape Verde finished the group stage with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, a team with a much longer history of World Cup appearances. Cameroon were held to a goalless draw by Angola in Yaoundé, allowing Cape Verde to secure first place in Group D and make history.
For a country that barely featured on the international scene not long ago, this achievement is nothing short of remarkable. Two decades ago, Cape Verde was ranked among the lowest in the FIFA rankings and had limited international exposure.
Their transformation has been built on tapping into the global Cape Verdean diaspora, identifying talent abroad, and combining it with homegrown players who have committed themselves to a shared vision.
The response across the archipelago has been overwhelming. In the capital Praia, supporters streamed out of the Estádio Nacional and into the streets, waving flags, dancing to local funaná and reggae rhythms, sounding car horns, and setting off fireworks. The government granted a half-day holiday so people could watch the match, and at the final whistle, the city erupted into jubilant celebration.
“This is more than football; it’s about pride, identity, and unity,” said one fan amid the celebrations. “We have shown that even a small nation can achieve greatness with hard work and belief.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also weighed in, calling it “a historic moment” and congratulating the people of Cape Verde. He praised the team for their determination and discipline, adding that their qualification proves how football can uplift and unite communities, regardless of size or geography.
The names now etched into Cape Verde’s football lore—Livramento, Semedo, Stopira, Vozinha, and coach Bubista—will be remembered for guiding the Blue Sharks into uncharted waters. For the team, the path forward is clear: to prepare for their debut on football’s biggest stage with courage and confidence.