Cape Verde have created history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the second-smallest nation by population ever to reach the tournament finals, after Iceland in 2018.
The Atlantic island nation booked their place at the global showpiece for the very first time following a decisive 3–0 home victory over Eswatini in Praia. This win secured top spot in Group D, finishing four points clear of Cameroon, who could only manage a 0–0 draw at home to Angola in their final match.
Earlier in the campaign, Cape Verde had stunned Cameroon with a 1–0 win at home, in a match that proved pivotal. Dailon Livramento, born in Rotterdam to Cape Verdean parents, scored the only goal in the 54th minute to give the Blue Sharks a critical advantage in the group. The team also survived a tense 3–3 draw away to Libya, coming from behind to secure a point that kept their qualification hopes alive.
Cape Verde’s success is all the more remarkable given its population figure — just over 500,000 inhabitants — and its relatively modest footballing history. They have twice before reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals (2013, 2023), but had never before appeared at a World Cup. The squad is coached by Pedro Leitão Brito (nicknamed “Bubista”), under whose guidance they strung together five consecutive qualifying victories, including key wins over stronger and more established teams. This milestone marks a turning point for Cape Verdean football. As they prepare to compete against the world’s best in USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026, their achievement stands as a testament to determination, collective effort, and rising expectations for small nations on the global stage.
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