The football world watched as a new story unfolded, a truly heartwarming chapter written by the “Blue Sharks.” Cape Verde’s national team secured their first-ever trip to the FIFA World Cup, punching their ticket to the 2026 tournament. This historic qualification came after a dominant 3-0 victory over Eswatini in the final match of the African qualifiers.
News of their triumph quickly spread. Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), extended heartfelt congratulations. He shared his message on social media, expressing joy on behalf of the FPF and himself. Proença praised the Cape Verdean national team, its federation, and particularly President Mário Semedo. He also recognized the entire nation of Cape Verde for this “historic, but very deserved” achievement, adding a direct “Congratulations, ‘Blue Sharks’!”
The decisive match took place today at the Estádio Nacional in Praia. Cape Verde came out strong in the second half, breaking the deadlock and then some. Dailon Livramento scored the first goal in the 48th minute, setting the tone. Willy Semedo followed swiftly, finding the net in the 54th minute. Veteran Stopira then capped off the impressive performance, adding a third goal in the 90+1 minute.
These crucial goals propelled Bubista’s squad to the top of Group D. They finished with 23 points, a full four points ahead of second-placed Cameroon. Cameroon, a strong contender, could only manage a 0-0 draw today against Angola. Cape Verde’s strong finish sealed their spot.
This momentous qualification makes Cape Verde the third team to debut at the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 national teams. They join Jordan and Uzbekistan in making their first appearance on football’s biggest stage. Furthermore, Cape Verde becomes the sixth African nation to qualify so far, lining up alongside continental powerhouses Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana. It’s a proud day for the island nation and a testament to their dedication.