The little island nation of Cape Verde is buzzing with excitement. Its national football team, affectionately known as the “Blue Sharks,” just made history. Today, they earned their very first spot in a FIFA World Cup. This achievement is a monumental feat for the archipelago.
The Cape Verdean government quickly shared its pride. On Facebook, the executive body congratulated the team. They declared, “Cape Verde makes History!” Ulisses Correia e Silva leads the government. They highlighted the team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Those games will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This qualification means more than just football for the nation. The government believes the Blue Sharks are taking the country’s name much further. It is a huge source of pride for every Cape Verdean. This includes those living both on the islands and abroad.
The Blue Sharks secured their spot after a thrilling victory today. They defeated Eswatini with a solid 3-0 score. This match was the final game of the African qualification phase. Dailon Livramento kicked things off with a goal in the 48th minute. Willy Semedo followed quickly, scoring just three minutes later. Ianique dos Santos Tavares sealed the deal in the 90+1 minute.
This win cemented Cape Verde’s dominance. The Lusophone nation finished at the top of Group D, racking up an impressive 23 points. The excitement was palpable even before the game. The government had granted a special day off for the occasion. Tickets for the match in the capital city of Praia disappeared almost instantly after going on sale.