Football underdog Cape Verde has qualified for a World Cup for the first time.
The island state off the west coast of Africa completed its participation with a 3-0 (0-0) win against Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and will take part in the biggest event in world football for the first time in the summer of 2026 (June 11 to July 19).
After Uzbekistan and Jordan, Cape Verde is already the third World Cup debutant at the tournament, which takes place in the USA, Mexico and Canada and is being held for the first time with 48 nations.
Dailon Livramento (48th minute), Willy Semedo (54th) and Stopira (90th+1) scored the goals on the last matchday for Cape Verde, which laid the foundation for successful qualification with a 1-0 win over favorites Cameroon in September.
The team of national coach Pedro Leitao Brito – nicknamed Bubista – has largely unknown professionals who are internationally active in the second or third row.
In terms of population, Cape Verde will be the second smallest participant in World Cup history – after Iceland, which made its debut in Russia in 2018. Three World Cup preliminary round games in impressive arenas are now guaranteed with the success in Libya. The team’s best-known professional is central defender Logan Costa, who plays for Villarreal FC and is currently missing after tearing his cruciate ligament.
26 places still available for the World Cup
So far, 22 teams have already qualified for the final round, which is being held for the first time with 48 teams. The three hosts USA, Canada and Mexico are automatically there.
Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea and Uzbekistan made it into Asia’s elimination.
So far from Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia and Cape Verde are included.
Defending champions Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay come from South America.
New Zealand has bought the ticket in Oceania.