Cape Verde has made an extraordinary entry into football history, becoming one of the smallest nations by population to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The island nation, with a population of approximately 525,000 to 550,000 people, secured its berth in the 2026 tournament, marking a significant milestone for its football program.
Their historic qualification came after a dominant performance in the African qualifiers. Cape Verde topped Group D, accumulating an impressive 23 points from 10 matches. A decisive 3-0 victory over their opponent, Avacaqi, sealed their place in the prestigious global tournament. The crucial match, played at the Elládio Nacestal de Cabo Verde stadium in Praia on October 13, saw Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Santos Tavares each find the back of the net. This commanding win for the squad, led by coach Bubista, sparked widespread celebrations.
The importance of the match was underscored by local authorities in Praia, who permitted workers to leave their jobs early, allowing them to gather and passionately support their national team. The vibrant atmosphere reflected the nation’s profound pride and anticipation.
With this achievement, Cape Verde becomes only the second country with such a small population to appear in the men’s FIFA World Cup finals, following Iceland’s debut in 2018. Iceland, with a population of about 350,000, previously held the distinction of being the smallest nation to qualify, making Russia’s 2018 World Cup their host.
Gianni Infantino, President of the World Football Federation (FIFA), acknowledged the broader impact of such qualifications. He remarked that the presence of nations like Cape Verde at the World Cup introduces a new dimension to football, inspiring fans across the globe. Back home, the people of Cape Verde celebrated vociferously, with flags waving, banners lifted high, and joyous dancing to traditional Funana music.
Cape Verde joins several other African nations that have also secured their spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These include football powerhouses like Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Ghana.
