Cabo Verde Celebrates Historic First-Time Qualification for the FIFA World Cup
Cabo Verde has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for its first FIFA World Cup. This momentous event unfolded during the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Cabo Verde’s Qualification Journey
In the decisive final round, Cabo Verde secured its spot by defeating Swaziland 3-0. This victory solidified their position at the top of Group D with a total of 23 points. Throughout the qualifiers, Cabo Verde’s performance was impressive, recording:
- 7 wins
- 2 draws
- 1 loss
Impact on Other Teams
Cabo Verde’s success in the qualifiers has complicated the chances for Cameroon, who tied with Angola in their last match. The Indomitable Lions ended with 19 points and are now waiting for the final round to determine their playoff fate.
22 Teams Confirmed for the World Cup
With this qualification, Cabo Verde becomes the 22nd team confirmed for next year’s World Cup. Other African nations that have secured spots include:
- Ghana
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Egypt
Additionally, the last three direct spots are still up for contention involving teams like Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group B, Benin and South Africa in Group C, and Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon in Group F. A playoff will also determine one more spot, involving the top four second-placed teams.
A Historic Achievement
This marks Cabo Verde’s first-ever qualification for a World Cup, an achievement they narrowly missed during the last qualifiers for the Qatar event, where they finished just behind Nigeria.
Alongside Cabo Verde, the Jordanian and Uzbek teams from Asia will also make their World Cup debut. The confirmed nations now include representatives from various continents, reflecting a diverse global competition.
