Smaller-Than-Birmingham Nation Poised to Secure World Cup Spot
A country with a population smaller than Birmingham is on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Set to take place in North America, the World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament kicks off on June 11 and concludes on July 19, 2026.
Smaller-Than-Birmingham Nation Eyes World Cup Spot
Football teams worldwide are engaging in qualifying rounds to secure their slots in the 2026 World Cup. Hosts, including the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, have automatic entries, while teams like Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Egypt, and Ghana have already qualified. European teams such as Spain, England, France, and Germany are expected to confirm their qualifications soon.
Cape Verde’s Big Leap
On Monday, one of the planet’s smallest nations, Cape Verde, ranked 70th globally, could join the ranks of World Cup debutants. Their football team stands on the brink of a historic achievement. A victory over Eswatini at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in a Group D African qualifier will secure their place in the prestigious tournament.
- Population: Approximately 525,000
- Group D Points: 20 from nine matches
- Opponent: Eswatini
- Match Venue: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde
National Support and Celebration
The Cape Verde government declared a half-day holiday, emphasizing the significance of the event. Journalist Victor Hugo mentioned to FIFA that the anticipation is thrilling, especially as the nation marked its 50 years of independence this year. Celebrating this milestone with a World Cup qualification would be monumental for Cape Verde.
If successful, Cape Verde will join Jordan and Uzbekistan as nations debuting in the 2026 World Cup. The potential qualification highlights a significant achievement for the island nation, reflecting the global reach and inclusivity of football.
Countries Qualified for the 2026 World Cup
- United States – Host
- Mexico – Host
- Canada – Host
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Iran
- Argentina
- Uzbekistan
- South Korea
- Jordan
- Australia
- Brazil
- Ecuador
- Uruguay
- Colombia
- Paraguay
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Ghana
As the world anticipates the next summer’s grand football event, smaller nations like Cape Verde are demonstrating that size is no barrier to achieving sporting greatness.
