Cape Verde book World Cup spot for the first time in their history | OneFootball

Cape Verde has booked its spot in the 2026 World Cup with a stylish 3–0 victory over Eswatini.

From the first whistle, the Blue Sharks pressed forward, determined to take control. Facing a deep-defending visiting side, Bubista’s men dominated and created chances, but couldn’t find an early goal.

The closest they came was when Dailon Livramento hit the side netting after a neat move with Yannick Semedo, fooling thousands into thinking it had gone in.

The second half, though, brought pure joy. Cape Verde became the second-smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup after a convincing 3-0 win at home, securing top spot in Group D ahead of African giants Cameroon.

Livramento struck first, Willy Semedo added a second soon after, and veteran Stopira sealed the result in stoppage time - sparking wild celebrations at the 15,000-seat National Stadium.

An Atlantic archipelago of ten islands with around 550,000 people, Cape Verde are now the smallest African nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. Last month’s 1-0 win over Cameroon had already set them up, and after a 3-3 draw with Libya delayed things, they finished the job in style against winless Eswatini.