Wayne Lumbasi
Cape Verde has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, marking a monumental moment for the small island nation and African football at large. The Blue Sharks secured their place after an emphatic 3-0 win over Eswatini in Praia on October 13, 2025.
Goals from Dailon Rocha Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira sealed the victory, pushing Cape Verde to the top of Group D with 23 points, four clear of Cameroon, who failed to beat Angola in Yaoundé. The result sent shockwaves across the continent as Cape Verde became one of Africa’s surprise representatives at the 2026 World Cup.
Led by coach Pedro Bubista Brito, the team’s journey to qualification was built on discipline, unity, and smart management. Bubista, who has been at the helm since 2020, blended local players with members of the Cape Verdean diaspora, many of whom play in European leagues. This strategy gave the team a solid foundation and international experience that proved crucial in decisive moments. Their remarkable run, which included five consecutive wins, demonstrated the steady progress of a nation once seen as a footballing underdog.
For a country with a population of barely 550,000, this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. Cape Verde now becomes the second smallest nation by population ever to reach a men’s World Cup, following Iceland’s feat in 2018. The government declared a public holiday before the match, and after the final whistle, celebrations erupted across the islands and among Cape Verdeans worldwide. Bubista called it “a victory for the entire nation and a tribute to those who built our identity.”
Cape Verde’s qualification represents a broader shift in African football, proving that smaller nations can now challenge the continent’s traditional giants through proper planning and belief. As they prepare to face the world’s elite in 2026, the Blue Sharks carry not only the pride of their people but also the hopes of many smaller nations inspired by their success. Their journey to the World Cup is more than a sporting triumph; it is a story of resilience, unity, and the power of dreams.
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