The island nation of Cape Verde has etched its name in football history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, defeating Eswatini 3-0 to top their African qualifying group. With a population of just 525,000, Cape Verde becomes the second-smallest nation by population to reach the men’s World Cup, trailing only Iceland, which achieved the feat in 2018 with a population of 352,000.

Historic Qualification Amid National Celebration

The victory at Praia’s National Stadium sparked jubilant celebrations, as fans flooded the stands chanting and players embraced on the pitch. Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira scored in the second half to seal the win, ensuring Cape Verde finished ahead of continental giants Cameroon and Libya in Group D. This triumph marks a monumental milestone for the Blue Sharks, who gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and have long aspired to reach football’s grandest stage.

“It means everything to me,” said centre-back Roberto 'Pico' Lopes. “Since we were little kids playing football, we dreamed of playing at the highest stage. There’s no bigger stage than the World Cup”.

A Nation of Firsts

Ranked 70th in the FIFA men’s world rankings, Cape Verde has previously made deep runs in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023. However, qualification for the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—represents their greatest achievement yet. The expanded 48-team format granted Africa nine direct slots, and Cape Verde capitalised by securing top spot in their group, a feat that denied Cameroon an automatic berth.

The Smallest Nations in World Cup History

Cape Verde now joins an elite list of the smallest countries to qualify for the tournament:

  • Iceland (352,000) – Qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, famously drawing with Argentina but finishing last in their group.
  • Cape Verde (525,000) – Set to make their debut in 2026, becoming the smallest nation among the current qualifiers.
  • Trinidad and Tobago (1.3 million) – Qualified for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, drawing with Sweden but eliminated in the group stage.
  • Northern Ireland (1.4 million) – Reached the 1958 World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to France.
  • Paraguay (1.5 million) – Participated in the inaugural 1930 World Cup, finishing in the group stage.

A Symbol of Footballing Equality

Cape Verde’s qualification underscores the growing inclusivity of international football. As one of the smallest nations to ever reach the World Cup, their journey serves as an inspiration to other underdog teams across the globe. Among the nations that have qualified so far for the 2026 tournament, Cape Verde is by far the smallest, highlighting the impact of expanded qualification slots.

With the World Cup just months away, the Blue Sharks are now focused on preparing for their historic debut. As one player put it: “We dreamed of this… there’s no better feeling than that”.