Wild scenes as tiny African nation seals 'historic moment' with first ever World Cup qualification
Updated . First published at
Cape Verde will play in the FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Eswatini 3-0 to top their group in African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday (AEDT).
The archipelago of volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa has secured one of the nine automatic spots for the continent.
They will be the second-smallest country by population ever to feature at a men's World Cup, after Iceland in 2018.
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Roberto Lopes of Cape Verde celebrates with fans after the team qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. Cristiano Barbosa/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Goals from Dailon Livramento (48th minute), Willy Semedo (54th minute) and Stopira (in stoppage time) sealed the home victory and first place in Group D.
When the final whistle blew, fans cheered loudly in the stands as players celebrated a momentous achievement on the pitch.
"What a historic moment," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message.
"Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
"Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible, and this is a moment where your stars will become global and power a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde."
The Blue Sharks finished with four more points than rivals Cameroon, who were held to a 0-0 draw at home against Angola.
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Fans cheer loudly in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini to qualify for its first-ever FIFA World Cup. X
Cape Verde, a nation of approximately 525,000 people — roughly the size of the combined Newcastle and Maitland region — arrived needing a win, but could have still have qualified with a loss, provided Cameroon did not defeat Angola.
Tickets for the deciding Cape Verde match sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day public holiday nationwide so people could watch the game.
The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up will contest a mini-tournament of two semi-finals and a final in November.
The Socceroos officially booked their spot in world football's showpiece event back in June.
Cameroon can still advance as one of those runners-up. The winner of this repechage round advances to FIFA's intercontinental play-off tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America, and Oceania.
The 2026 World Cup is the first with an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the previous 32.
In other Group D results, Mauritius and Libya played out a 0-0 draw. In Group C, Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 at home.
