World Cup Qualification – The island nation of Cape Verde has made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the very first time, following a commanding 3–0 victory over Eswatini on Monday.
With a population of just over 525,000 people, the tiny West African archipelago becomes the second-smallest country ever to qualify for the men’s World Cup since the tournament began in 1930, a remarkable feat for a nation smaller than the U.S. state of Vermont.
A Historic Milestone for a Small Nation
Cape Verde’s qualification is a triumph decades in the making. The nation, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, has steadily built its football program over the years, earning respect across the African continent. Ranked 70th in FIFA’s global standings, the team topped its qualifying group ahead of powerhouse Cameroon, sealing its place at the 2026 World Cup, which the United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host.
Cape Verde has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) four times, reaching the quarterfinals in both 2013 and 2023. However, this latest achievement marks its most considerable footballing success yet, a dream realized for a nation where the sport has long been a unifying passion.
President José Maria Neves Leads National Celebration
Cabo Verde President José Maria Neves has congratulated the national football team, known as the Blue Sharks, as he led a wave of celebration across the islands following the team’s historic qualification.
The squad, representing an archipelago off the coast of Senegal, boasts roughly 550,000 inhabitants, making Cabo Verde the smallest nation ever to represent Africa on football’s grandest stage.
President Neves joined more than 15,000 ecstatic fans at the Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, where the Blue Sharks sealed their World Cup dream with goals from Dilan Livramento, Willy Semedo, and veteran defender Stopira. The 3–0 victory over Eswatini confirmed Cabo Verde’s top finish in Group D with 23 points, four ahead of Cameroon, who will now move to the playoffs in November.
At full-time, President Neves was presented with a symbolic qualification ticket by FIFA officials, a poignant gesture in a year that also marks 50 years of Cabo Verde’s independence.
In an emotional address shared on his official page, Neves called the qualification “another great moment for the Cabo Verdean global nation”, describing it as a reflection of the country’s resilience and progress since 1975.
“Every day, we’re building independence,” he said. “By clinching a place in the World Cup, we’ve shown that Cabo Verde is a country of possibilities, a people who trust themselves and thrive on hope.”
The president went on to describe the qualification as “a new independence,” extending his thanks to the Cabo Verde Football Federation (FCF), its president Mário Semedo, head coach Bubista, and the players “for their belief and determination.”
He also thanked Cabo Verdeans across the diaspora, acknowledging a flood of congratulatory messages from world leaders and citizens around the globe.
“Cabo Verde is massive! Together we go far. We are unbeatable,” he wrote.
Calling it “a celebration of an entire people under the watchful eye of the world,” President Neves said the moment belonged to every Cabo Verdean, on the islands and abroad.
Following in Iceland’s Footsteps
Only Iceland has ever qualified for a World Cup with a smaller population. The Nordic nation, with just 352,000 residents, made its debut at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where it famously drew with Argentina but failed to advance past the group stage.
By comparison, Cape Verde’s population of just over half a million makes it the smallest country among all qualifiers for the upcoming tournament, smaller than many cities in Europe or the Americas.
Tiny Nations, Big Dreams
Throughout World Cup history, a few small nations have defied the odds to reach the world’s biggest sporting stage. Here’s how Cape Verde’s achievement compares to other tiny footballing trailblazers:
| Country | World Cup Year | Population (at time) |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 2018 | 352,721 |
| Cape Verde | 2026 | 524,877 |
| Paraguay | 1930 | 992,420 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 2006 | 1,300,000 |
| Northern Ireland | 1958 | 1,400,000 |
| Kuwait | 1982 | 1,500,000 |
A Rising Force in African Football
For Cape Verde, this qualification is more than a sports story; it’s a national triumph. From the vibrant streets of Praiato the farthest corners of the diaspora, the Blue Sharks’ achievement has united a nation and inspired the continent.
As the world turns its eyes toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Cape Verde stands as a shining example that in football, and in life, greatness isn’t measured by size, but by heart, unity, and belief.
By The Midtown Times Sports Desk
October 14, 2025 — Praia, Cape Verde
