Cape Verde qualifies for 2026 World Cup with 500,000 inhabitants
The African island nation of Cape Verde has qualified for the 2026 World Cup in impressive fashion. This article explains how this historic achievement was made possible and why it marks a milestone in African football. It also looks at what this qualification means for a country with just 500,000 inhabitants.
Historic qualification through CAF
Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history. The nation finished top of Group D in the CAF qualifiers, leaving traditional football powerhouses like Cameroon behind.
The decisive victory came with a 3-0 win over Eswatini. Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo and Stopira sparked huge celebrations at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde.
Key facts:
- Cape Verde finished as group winner in the CAF qualifiers.
- They recorded seven clean sheets in ten matches.
- The team is coached by former Cape Verde international Bubista.
Small nation, great achievement
With just over 500,000 inhabitants, Cape Verde is among the smallest nations ever to appear at a World Cup. Only Iceland, which participated in 2018, had a smaller population at the time.
In terms of area, Cape Verde, with just over 4,000 km², is the smallest country ever to qualify. Previously, Trinidad and Tobago held that record since 2006.
What this means for Cape Verde and Africa
The qualification shows that even smaller countries within CAF can surprise. Cape Verde built its success on discipline, defensive stability and collective team spirit. The run of five consecutive victories, including a 1-0 win over Cameroon, formed the foundation of this historic campaign.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington DC, where Cape Verde will discover its group opponents.
A historic moment for African football
Cape Verde has made history by qualifying as a small island nation for the 2026 World Cup. The achievement shows that quality, team spirit and determination can produce great results, even for a nation with only 500,000 inhabitants.
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Cape Verde has qualified for the 2026 World Cup via CAF for the first time. The nation with 500,000 inhabitants made history with this qualification.
About the author
Author of this content is Patrick. I have been playing soccer for more than 25 years and follow the daily news closely. My hobbies include playing football, running and maintaining various websites, in addition to my job as a financial professional.
I do not work for any related company or institution, so the information is reliable and independent. The information has been collected accurately from reliable sources and is regularly updated.