Cape Verde has secured a historic spot in the 2026 World Cup after defeating Eswatini 3-0 in African qualifying, marking the country’s first-ever appearance in the tournament. The victory ensured the archipelago of volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa took one of the nine automatic spots available for the continent.

With a population of approximately 525,000 people, Cape Verde will become the second smallest country by population to feature in the World Cup, following Iceland’s participation in 2018. The team’s success was sealed with goals from Dailon Livramento in the 48th minute, Willy Semedo in the 54th, and Stopira in stoppage time, securing a home victory and first place in Group D.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Cape Verde on their achievement, acknowledging the country’s significant progress in football development in recent years. Infantino noted that this moment would make Cape Verde’s stars global and inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts across the nation.

Cape Verde finished with four more points than Cameroon, which was held to a 0-0 draw against Angola at home. Although Cameroon can still advance as a runner-up, Cape Verde’s victory has guaranteed their spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup. The nine group winners automatically qualify for the tournament, while the four best runners-up will compete in a mini tournament in November.

The Cape Verde government declared a half-day holiday to allow citizens to watch the match, which saw tickets sell out in record time, according to FIFA. In other Group D matches, Mauritius and Libya drew 0-0, while Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in Group C. Cape Verde’s qualification marks a significant milestone for the country’s football team and its fans, who will now have the opportunity to witness their team compete on the world stage.