Cape Verde have made history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup after a 3-0 home victory over Eswatini secured top spot in their group. The win ensured the island nation’s place at the 2026 finals ahead of African heavyweights Cameroon.
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring early in the second half in Praia, turning home a loose ball inside the six-yard box. Willy Semedo doubled the lead soon after with a volley, and veteran defender Stopira added a third in stoppage time, sparking jubilant celebrations among the 15,000 fans at the National Stadium.
An archipelago of ten islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde has a population of just under 525,000 according to the World Bank. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to qualify for the World Cup in 2002. Despite their size, the Blue Sharks have impressed in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in 2013 and again in 2023, and they currently sit 70th in the FIFA world rankings.
Only Iceland, who qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has a smaller population among nations to have reached the tournament.
Last month’s 1-0 home win over Cameroon put Cape Verde in control of Group D, knowing one victory from their final two games would be enough. They missed their first chance after a 3-3 draw away to Libya, where they were denied a stoppage-time winner by a controversial offside call, but made no mistake against winless Eswatini.
Cape Verde President Jose Maria Neves was among those in attendance as the hosts endured a nervous first half. Livramento went close and Jamiro Monteiro was denied by Eswatini goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, but the tension eased once Livramento broke the deadlock three minutes into the second period. Semedo’s strike soon followed, before Stopira sealed the result in injury time.
Centre-back Roberto “Pico” Lopes said Africa’s expanded allocation of nine World Cup slots, up from five at Qatar 2022, helped boost the team’s hopes.
“Traditionally, it’s been difficult to qualify for the World Cup, especially in Africa where you had to finish first in your group to have a chance,” Lopes told the BBC before the trip to Libya. “This time, if you finish first, you’re in. The motivation to be first and hold on to that has been crucial.”
Five-time Afcon champions Cameroon, meanwhile, have paid the price for poor away form, drawing in Libya, Angola and against Eswatini. They must now face both African and inter-confederation play-offs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Cape Verde’s growing tourism industry has brought attention to the islands in recent years, but sporting success has been rare. The nation won its first-ever Olympic medal at Paris 2024 when boxer David de Pina claimed bronze in the men’s flyweight category.
With a domestic league of just 12 teams, the Blue Sharks have long relied on foreign-based players and members of the diaspora. Lopes, who plays for Shamrock Rovers, received his first call-up after being contacted through LinkedIn, reflecting the nation’s unique approach to scouting talent.
“My father is from the island of Sao Nicolau. He left when he was 16,” said Lopes. “People tend to look for opportunities and football outside the country. There seems to be mass migration from the country. We’re all over the world. It’s great what we can achieve when we’re together.”
The current squad includes no players from Europe’s top five leagues. Their top scorer in qualifying, Netherlands-born Livramento, plays for Casa Pia, who are 14th in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
