Cape Verde moved a step closer to a historic World Cup debut on Tuesday after a 1-0 victory over Cameroon left them top of Group D in African qualifying for the 2026 finals.
The island nation, with a population of just over 600,000, could become the second-smallest country ever to qualify for a men’s World Cup, behind only Iceland, which competed in 2018. With two games remaining, Cape Verde need just three more points to secure qualification.
Striker Dailon Livramento scored the only goal of the game in Praia, capitalising on a defensive error by Cameroon’s Carlos Baleba before racing clear and finishing confidently past goalkeeper Andre Onana in the 54th minute.
The result puts Cape Verde four points clear of Cameroon with two matches to play next month, away to Libya and at home against Eswatini, and their fate firmly in their own hands.
Elsewhere in African qualifying, the reigning continental champions, Senegal, staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-2 in Kinshasa. Playing in front of 80,000 fans at the Stade des Martyrs, Senegal fell 2-0 behind within 32 minutes, but goals from Pape Gueye, Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr turned the game around. The win gives Senegal a two-point lead at the top of Group B.
Egypt, meanwhile, missed the chance to secure early qualification after a goalless draw away to Burkina Faso. They now need two points from their final two Group A matches to book their place alongside already-qualified Morocco and Tunisia.
In Group F, Ivory Coast stayed one point ahead of Gabon after a 0-0 draw in Franceville. Gabon came close to snatching victory when Shavy Babicka struck the woodwork late on, but the stalemate keeps the Elephants in control of the group.
South Africa also remain in pole position in Group C following a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Bloemfontein. An own goal by Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong gave the hosts the lead, before Calvin Bassey equalised just before the break. The result leaves Nigeria with slim hopes of direct qualification.
The winners of each of the nine African groups will automatically qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The four best runners-up will enter a playoff in November for a chance to claim a possible tenth African place at the finals.
