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Cape Verde have made history by becoming the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, after defeating Eswatini 3-0 at home.
The victory secured top spot in their qualifying group and a place at the 2026 finals, ahead of continental giants Cameroon.
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring early in the second half in Praia, turning in a loose ball inside the six-yard box. Willy Semedo added a second shortly after with a volley, and veteran defender Stopira sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal. The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations at the 15,000-capacity National Stadium.
Cape Verde, an archipelago of 10 islands off the Atlantic coast of Africa, has a population of just under 525,000, according to World Bank data. The nation gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to qualify for the World Cup in 2002.
Despite their size, the Blue Sharks have exceeded expectations in recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals on debut in 2013 and again in 2023. They are currently ranked 70th in the world.
Iceland, who played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is the only country with a smaller population to reach the global tournament.
Cape Verde’s 1-0 home win over Cameroon last month put them in command of Group D, knowing that one win from their final two matches would seal qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
They spurned their first chance when they drew 3-3 with Libya last Wednesday, fighting back from two goals down in Tripoli before having a stoppage-time winner controversially ruled out for offside.
But they made the most of their second opportunity against winless Eswatini, becoming the sixth African nation to secure a spot at next year’s finals.
President Jose Maria Neves was in attendance as the home crowd endured a nervy first half in which Livramento missed an early chance and Jamiro Monteiro was stopped by Eswatini goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala. The tension eased once Livramento broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, with celebrations flaring again when Semedo converted from a knockdown by Diney.
Meanwhile, five-time AFCON champions Cameroon have paid the price for inconsistent away form throughout the campaign, which began in November 2023. The Indomitable Lions drew matches in Libya, Angola and against Eswatini, and must now navigate both African and inter-confederation playoffs if they hope to extend their record of eight World Cup appearances.
—BBC
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