Cape Verde Makes History with World Cup 2026 Debut While Dashing Cameroon’s Hopes
Cape Verde has made history by securing its first-ever spot in the 2026 World Cup, following a dominant 3-0 victory over Eswatini. This match, held in Praia, allowed Cape Verde to claim the top position in their African qualifying group.
Cape Verde’s Historic Qualification
With a population of approximately 525,000, Cape Verde becomes the second smallest country by population to participate in a men’s World Cup, only behind Iceland, which qualified in 2018.
Match Highlights
- Venue: Praia, Cape Verde
- Result: Cape Verde 3, Eswatini 0
- Goals:
- Dailon Rocha Livramento opened the scoring just three minutes into the second half.
- Willy Semedo scored the second goal six minutes later, igniting celebrations.
- Stopira added a third in stoppage time.
The match was played under challenging windy conditions, but the Blue Sharks thrived after a tentative first 45 minutes. They managed to overshadow their nearest competitor, Cameroon, who needed a victory against Angola but could only secure a draw. This outcome left them hoping to advance through the playoffs.
Cape Verde’s Journey to the Finals
Initially, Cape Verde struggled in their qualifying campaign, having drawn against Angola and suffered a heavy loss to Cameroon. However, they rebounded impressively with five consecutive victories. Coach Pedro Leitão Brito, commonly known as “Bubista,” played a crucial role in this revival.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| World Ranking | 70th |
| Population | 525,000 |
| Goals Scored in Final Match | 3 |
| Supporters at the Match | 15,000 |
Future Challenges
Despite their success in World Cup qualifying, Cape Verde faced difficulties in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying round, winning only one match out of six. Their past performance included two quarter-final appearances in 2013 and 2023.
As Cape Verde looks forward to their World Cup debut, they aim to build on their recent successes and bolster their presence on the international football stage. With dedicated players and a determined coaching staff, their journey has just begun.
