Cape Verde explodes in celebration after maiden qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals
A country off the coast of Senegal with only 550,000 inhabitants made history at midnight Monday. Cape Verde qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals for the first time, winning 3-0 against Eswatini at home. Now, the Blue Sharks top their qualifying group and have a secure place at the 2026 finals, ahead of continental heavyweights Cameroon. The reflection was vivid. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. Honking horns and street fireworks greeted euphoric fans pouring out of the Cape Verde National Stadium. On the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music. “It was an incredible moment,” 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento said near the stadium. “I don’t have words. I was at the stadium and I supported our team unconditionally,” he said. FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Cape Verde on its “historic moment.” He said the achievement could “power a new generation of football lovers” across the nation. It is set to become the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup. Iceland, with just over 350,000 at the 2018 World Cup, was the first. “I shouted a lot during the match and now my voice is bad, but I am happy,” Praia resident Jose Vieira said after the victory, which he watched live in the stadium. The celebrations were expected to continue into the night with a concert at Praia’s municipal stadium featuring local artists such as Djodje and Soraia Ramos. Blue Sharks Coach Pedro “Bubista” Brito told representatives of the media that “giving this happiness to these people is enormous,” adding that “it’s a victory for all the Cape Verdean people.” Cape Verde won Group-D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, which holds the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde. An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. “It’s a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence. “It’s a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence,” coach Bubista commented. The team reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals on its debut in 2013 and again in 2023, and is currently ranked 70th in the world. “It’s time to celebrate,” 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha told reporters, explaining that he had “been dreaming of this moment since I was a child.” Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Cape Verde have now won groups and filled six of the nine places automatically reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup. Fan Jose Jorge Borges, a 60-year-old journalist, said in Praia that it was a very memorable moment for Cape Verdeans. “The emotions are visible and difficult to describe,” he said.
