In a moment of pure football magic, Cape Verde, a tiny island nation of just 550,000 people, has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history — an achievement that has sent waves of joy across Africa and beyond.
The Blue Sharks sealed their historic qualification with a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in Praia, turning the capital city into a sea of blue and white. Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira in the second half secured a commanding win and capped off an unforgettable qualifying campaign.
Cape Verde topped Group D with 23 points, finishing ahead of continental giants Cameroon, a nation that has appeared in eight previous World Cups.
The milestone holds even deeper meaning as it coincides with Cape Verde’s 50th year of independence. Head coach Pedro Brito (Bubista) dedicated the triumph to the nation’s people, saying, “Giving this happiness to our people is enormous. It’s a victory for every Cape Verdean and a tribute to those who fought for our independence.”
The streets of Praia erupted in jubilation as fans danced to reggae and traditional funana beats, waving flags, lighting fireworks, and celebrating through the night. The atmosphere resembled a national festival — decades of dreams realized in one unforgettable evening.
Team captain Ryan Mendes described the moment as “indescribable,” while veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 39, added, “I’ve been dreaming of this since childhood.”
After a shaky start — with a draw against Angola and a loss to Cameroon — Cape Verde bounced back with five consecutive wins to make history.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the achievement, calling it “an inspiration for a new generation of football lovers.”
Cape Verde now joins Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Ghana as Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — proving that even the smallest nations can dream big and win bigger.