Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time by defeating Eswatini 3-0 at Estádio Nacional in Praia on Monday, topping Group D with 23 points ahead of Cameroon, who drew 1-1 with Angola.
Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira sealed the win for the Blue Sharks, a nation of under 600,000 people that now becomes the second-smallest to reach the finals after Iceland.
The achievement highlights the impact of the tournament’s expansion and Cape Verde’s rise from 180th to 70th in FIFA rankings through grassroots efforts and diaspora players.
No Rolex
No NPD FA Chairman
No flex
No new coach in their journeyCape Verde has make it to The World Cup 2026. pic.twitter.com/FBqkAey5Lb
— The Reds Indonesia (@The_RedsIndo) October 14, 2025
🇨🇻HISTORY! Cabo Verde have qualified for their first ever #FIFAWorldCup!#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/8oMiVZ2eP5
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 13, 2025
Cape Verde have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history 😍🇨🇻pic.twitter.com/hg0vC9cexb
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) October 13, 2025
🚨 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Cape Verde 🇨🇻 have qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑯𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑹𝒀 🤩
With a population of just 590,000 they are also the second smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup finals (after Iceland) – what an… pic.twitter.com/zxgLDiXDxu
— 433 (@433) October 13, 2025
