Cape Verde secures historic World Cup spot

Cape Verde have secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup spot in the competition’s history, after the islanders beat Eswatini 3-0 at home to book their flight to the football mundial in 2026.

The victory meant the Blue Sharks secured top spot in their qualifying group and a place at the 2026 finals ahead of continental heavyweights Cameroon.

Cape Verde have now written their name into football folklore by becoming the second-smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup-ursuping Iceland in that feat.

Dutch-born Dailon Livramento got the first goal for the hosts in Praia, turning home a loose ball inside the six-yard box early in the second half, and French-born forward Willy Semedo volleyed in a second soon afterwards.

Stopira, the 37-year-old defender, sealed qualification with the third goal in stoppage time, igniting jubilant celebrations at the 15,000-capacity National Stadium as the final whistle blew.

This marks the nation’s first qualification for the prestigious tournament since gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, following their initial attempt to reach the 2002 World Cup, hosted by Japan and South Korea.

Fans of Cape Verde are in an ecstatic mood, as they celebrate their first-ever World Cup qualification after beating Eswatini 3-0 at home(Image: Mark Lomas/Getty Images)

The team surprised many in the 2013 African Cup of Nations after reaching the quarter-finals in their first outing in the competition, and again in 2023.

Meanwhile, Iceland, which featured at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is the only country with a smaller population to qualify for the global showpiece.

A surprise 1-0 win at home over Cameroon last month ensured Cape Verde pushed a step closer towards qualification this time. However, the islanders failed to book an early slot in Group D.

They missed their initial qualification opportunity last Wednesday against Libya, drawing 3-3 in Tripoli after rallying from a two-goal deficit, only to be denied a probable stoppage-time winner by a contentious offside decision.

However, Cape Verde secured a historic qualification on their second chance in Praia against winless Eswatini, becoming the sixth African team to earn a spot in next year’s finals.