Cape Verde becomes the second-smallest country ever to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Cape Verde qualified for its first FIFA World Cup after beating Eswatini 3-0 in the qualifying match on Monday, becoming the second-smallest country ever to reach the final of the quadrennial event.

Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo and Stopira scored to lead their country to the showpiece event that will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.

Cape Verde leads Group D with 23 points from 10 games. They have won seven, drawn two and lost only once.

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It could have qualified with a win over Libya in its last match, but a 3–3 draw meant it had to beat Eswatini to confirm its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Livramento opened the scoring for the Blue Sharks in the 48th minute, while Semedo grabbed their second six minutes later. Stopira, who came on in the 86th minute, scored Cape Verde’s third in second-half extra time.

Published on October 13, 2025