🚨 Just 490,000 residents: minnow nation qualifies for World Cup debut | OneFootball

An entire island nation is upside down! With a 3-0 win over Eswatini just a few minutes ago, Cape Verde has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its association’s history. Cape who?

Yes, Cape Verde. Number 70 in the FIFA world rankings. According to 'citypopulation,' only 490,000 people live in this small island nation, spread across more than six islands. Even though football is considered a national sport in this former African colony, the Blue Sharks were, for a long time, virtually non-existent on the football map. However, that has changed in recent years.

For example, coach Pedro Brito’s team sensationally reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. There, Cape Verde only lost to South Africa in a penalty shootout. Thanks to their strong qualifying performances, they no longer need a duel from the spot.

Led by captain Ryan Mendes, Cape Verde soared through qualification group D. They even left African heavyweight Cameroon behind. Alongside 29-time Serie A professional Dailon Livramento, Mendes is something of a star for the team. The 35-year-old is both his country’s record international (88 matches) and record goal scorer (21 goals).

And who knows: maybe on June 11, 2026, he’ll score Cape Verde’s very first World Cup goal. Make history—and send an entire mini-nation into celebration once again. We’ll start practicing our goosebumps already.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors