Cape Verde Becomes Africa’s Smallest Nation to Reach World Cup

Cape Verde Becomes Africa’s Smallest Nation to Reach World Cup

By BSN Sports 

 Cape Verde have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation's history, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Eswatini on Monday night to top Group D of the CAF qualifiers and clinch their place at the 2026 tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Blue Sharks, representing an island nation of just over 550,000 people off the coast of West Africa, becomes the smallest African country by population to ever appear on football’s biggest stage.

Dominant Display in Decisive Victory

Playing in front of a jubilant crowd of 15,000 at Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, Cape Verde delivered a decisive second-half performance. After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo scored within nine minutes of the restart, both finishing from close range to give the hosts a firm grip on the match.

Livramento's goal in the 48th minute marked his fourth of the qualification campaign, while Semedo added the second in the 54th. Substitute Stopira sealed the historic result with a third goal in stoppage time, pouncing on a loose ball in the box to send fans into celebration.

Group D Winners Ahead of African Giants

Cape Verde finished top of Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola in Yaoundé. The result means Cape Verde outpaced the five-time African champions and eight-time World Cup participants to secure the sole qualification spot from the group.

Cameroon’s failure to break down Angola left them trailing in second place, while Cape Verde celebrated one of the most significant moments in their footballing history.

A Truly Global Squad

Cape Verde’s qualification story is also a testament to the power of diaspora. Many of the national team’s players were born in Europe to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents, and have gone on to represent the nation of their heritage.

Goal-scorer Livramento was born in the Netherlands, while Semedo hails from France. The starting XI against Eswatini featured players based in leagues across Portugal, the Netherlands, the UAE, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Cyprus, and the United States.

Eswatini Offer Little Resistance

Eswatini arrived in Praia with little attacking intent, deploying a defensive 5-4-1 formation. But once Cape Verde found the breakthrough, there was no response. The southern African side exit the qualifiers without a win—losing seven matches and drawing three.

The Road Ahead

Cape Verde now look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where they will proudly represent Africa among the continent’s qualified teams.

For a country that only made its Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2013, the rise to World Cup qualification within just over a decade is nothing short of remarkable.