Praia, Cape Verde – October 14, 2025 – In a momentous achievement for African football, Cape Verde has etched its name into the annals of World Cup history by securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The island nation triumphed 3-0 over Eswatini in a decisive match played on Monday at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, clinching the top spot in Group D of the African qualifiers. This marks the first time Cape Verde, a small archipelago off the west coast of Africa, will participate in the planet's premier football tournament.
The victory propelled Cape Verde to an unassailable 23 points from their qualifying campaign, leaving them four points ahead of second-placed Cameroon, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against Angola in Yaoundé on the same day. With this result, Cape Verde not only topped the group but also became the second-smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World Cup, trailing only Iceland, which made its debut in 2018 with a population of around 330,000 at the time. Cape Verde's current population stands at just over 550,000, according to the latest estimates from the National Institute of Statistics of Cape Verde (INE), highlighting the sheer improbability of this feat for a country with limited resources and infrastructure compared to football powerhouses.
The match itself was a testament to Cape Verde's resilience and tactical prowess under head coach Pedro Leitão Brito, affectionately known as 'BMs known as 'Bubista'. The 55-year-old coach, who assumed the role in 2020 after serving as an assistant, has been instrumental in transforming the team's fortunes. Speaking emotionally after the final whistle, Bubista declared, “Giving this happiness to these people is enormous. It’s a victory for all Cape Verdeans and, above all, for those who fought for our independence. It’s a special moment in this 50th anniversary celebration.” Cape Verde marked its 50th year of independence from Portugal in July 2025, adding a layer of national symbolism to the qualification. The coach's words resonated deeply, as football in Cape Verde has long been a unifying force in a nation scattered across 10 islands and boasting a vast diaspora estimated at over 700,000 people worldwide, primarily in Portugal, the United States, and France.
The atmosphere at the 15,000-capacity stadium was electric, with fans waving the blue and white flags of the "Tubarões Azuis" (Blue Sharks), the team's nickname inspired by the abundant marine life surrounding the islands. The first half was a tense, cagey affair, with both sides probing but failing to break the deadlock. Eswatini, ranked 146th in the FIFA standings compared to Cape Verde's 65th, adopted a defensive posture, frustrating the hosts with compact midfield play. However, the Blue Sharks exploded into life after the interval.
Just three minutes into the second half, Dailon Livramento broke the stalemate. The 24-year-old forward, born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, to Cape Verdean parents, latched onto a precise through-ball from midfielder Jamiro Monteiro and slotted home with composure for his fourth goal of the campaign. Livramento's strike ignited the crowd and shifted momentum decisively. Six minutes later, in the 54th minute, Willy Semedo doubled the lead. The 29-year-old, who grew up near Paris and plays club football for Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia, pounced on a rebound from close range after a scrambling save by Eswatini goalkeeper Mathabela Sandanezwe.
The scoring was capped in stoppage time by substitute Stopira, a veteran defender whose goal sent the stadium into rapture. At 39 years old, goalkeeper Josimar 'Vozinha' Dias echoed the sentiments of triumph, stating, “I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a child. It’s time to celebrate.” Vozinha, playing for Angolan club GD Sagrada Esperança, has been a stalwart in goal, conceding just five goals in the qualifiers. Stopira, the goal-scorer, added, “It’s too emotional. I embrace all Cape Verdean people, at home and across our great diaspora.” Team captain Ryancalling Ryan Mendes, a 35-year-old winger with Turkish club Karagümrük, was equally effusive: “Honestly, I don’t have the words to describe this moment. I’m very, very happy.”
This qualification caps a remarkable turnaround for Cape Verde. The campaign began shakily with a 0-0 draw against Angola in September 2024 and a heavy 4-1 defeat to Cameroon the following month, leaving doubts about their prospects. But under Bubista's guidance, they rebounded spectacularly, embarking on a five-match winning streak. Key victories included narrow 1-0 wins home and away against tough opponents, showcasing defensive solidity and counter-attacking efficiency. In total, Cape Verde scored 15 goals and conceded only six across 10 matches, boasting the joint-best defensive record in the group alongside Cameroon.
The team's composition reflects Cape Verde's global diaspora. Many players, like Livramento and Semedo, were born abroad but chose to represent their ancestral homeland through FIFA's eligibility rules for players with parental or grandparental ties. This "imported talent" model has been crucial, with stars such as Monteiro (from MLS side San Jose Earthquakes) and Mendes drawing from leagues in Europe and beyond. The squad's diversity mirrors the nation's history: a former Portuguese colony that gained independence in 1975 after a liberation struggle led by figures like Amílcar Cabral, whose legacy Bubista invoked post-match.
Bubista's tenure has been a steady build-up to this pinnacle. Appointed in January 2020, he previously led Cape Verde to back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearances in 2022 and 2023 (held in 2021 and 2024 due to scheduling). In both tournaments, they advanced to the round of 16, defeating teams like Ethiopia and Ghana, proving their competitiveness on the continental stage. Despite failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON (expanded format for 2027 qualifiers ongoing), the Cape Verde Football Federation (FCF) retained faith in Bubista, a decision now vindicated. “This qualification means everything,” he reiterated. “It’s for the people, for our football, and for the dream we all share.”
Economically and socially, this achievement could be transformative for Cape Verde. Football is the most popular sport in the country, where poverty affects about 25% of the population per World Bank data, and unemployment hovers around 12%. The qualification is expected to boost tourism—the nation's primary industry, contributing over 40% to GDP—and inspire youth programs. President José Maria Neves congratulated the team via social media, calling it “a source of pride for every Cape Verdean.” Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva announced plans for national celebrations, including parades in Praia and Mindelo.
On the continental front, Cape Verde joins Africa's expanded contingent for the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams—an increase from 32—granting CAF (Confederation of African Football) nine direct slots plus one inter-confederation playoff berth. Other qualifiers so far include powerhouses like Morocco (hosts of the 2030 World Cup co-bid), Senegal, and Tunisia, but Cape Verde's entry adds a Cinderella story. They will face the world's elite in a tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with matches spread across 16 venues.
Historically, African teams have made strides in World Cups: Cameroon reached the quarterfinals in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010. Cape Verde, ranked as underdogs, draws inspiration from these. Their style—compact defense, quick transitions—could surprise. Preparations will include friendlies against European sides, leveraging diaspora networks.
Reactions poured in globally. FIFA President Gianni Infantino tweeted, “Congratulations to Cape Verde on this historic qualification! Football unites the world.” Former Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, who led the Vikings in 2018, sent a message: “Small nations can dream big—welcome to the club.”
For Eswatini, the loss ends a valiant effort; they finished fourth with 10 points. Coach Dominic Kunene praised his players' effort but lamented missed chances.
As Cape Verde basks in glory, the focus shifts to the draw in December 2025. For a nation of islands where football fields double as community hubs, this is more than sport—it's a beacon of possibility. With stars like Vozinha potentially in their final bow, the Blue Sharks are ready to make waves on the global ocean.
