The smallest island nation in Africa and one of the smallest countries in the world, Cape Verde, has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. The "Blue Sharks", as they are affectionately known, defeated Eswatini 3-0 in their final qualification match on Monday, October 13, 2025, to top Group D in the African qualifiers and secure their place in the 2026 tournament. This monumental achievement is a culmination of years of hard work, strategic planning, and unwavering determination.
Cape Verde's journey to the World Cup is particularly remarkable given its small population of just over 525,000 people. They become the second smallest country by population to qualify for the World Cup, after Iceland in 2018.
The road to qualification
Cape Verde's historic qualification is due to several factors, including the expanded 2026 World Cup format which offers more spots for African teams.
The team also benefited from strategically recruiting players with Cape Verdean heritage from around the world. Under coach Bubista,
they have shown tactical discipline, teamwork, and resilience, with veteran players like captain Ryan Mendes and goalkeeper Vozinha providing leadership.
The final hurdle and celebrations
Confirmed teams for the 2026 World Cup ✅🏆
Cape Verde add their name to the list for the first time ever 🇨🇻👏 pic.twitter.com/yK8dQt0SVq
Cape Verde secured their World Cup spot with a 3-0 victory against Eswatini in front of a home crowd.
Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira sealed the win. The victory sparked widespread celebrations across the nation, with fans dancing in the streets. A half-day holiday was even declared for the match.
Looking ahead
Cape Verde's qualification is a source of national pride. They are one of six African teams to have qualified so far for the 2026 World Cup, joining Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana. The "Blue Sharks" aim to make an impact on the global stage.