Cape Verde’s Historic World Cup Qualification: How FIFA Forward Paved the Way for a Nation’s Rise | OneFootball

With their historic performance in CAF World Cup qualifiers, Cape Verde will play in its first-ever FIFA World Cup. But how did the island nation make it here?  

Winning the FIFA World Cup is perhaps the biggest achievement in all of sports. The sheer size of the tournament, in addition to its rich history, puts it above any other competition.

But while the significance of winning the World Cup is obvious, simply qualifying for the tournament can have a profound impact on a nation. Earning a place among the world’s best can transform a country’s entire soccer landscape.

Cape Verde has recently achieved this milestone, qualifying for its first-ever World Cup. With a population of just under 600,000, Cape Verde becomes the second-smallest country ever to reach the tournament, marking a historic moment that will reshape its national identity overnight. This achievement was made possible in part through the FIFA Forward program, established in 2016 to support the growth and development of soccer worldwide.

FIFA Forward stands as the world’s most extensive sports development program. Its purpose is straightforward: to distribute FIFA’s revenues equitably among all 211 member associations. The initiative is built on three main pillars — increasing investment in global football development, creating targeted, customized projects for greater impact, and emphasizing transparent, accountable management of all funds.

Across Africa, the program follows the same framework. Funding is primarily directed toward five key areas — infrastructure, capacity building, competitions, national teams, and operational support — with additional specialized projects tailored to each federation’s unique needs.

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By emphasizing transparency and measurable results, FIFA Forward has reshaped the landscape of football governance. For nations like Cape Verde, which historically lacked financial and structural resources, the program has provided both stability and opportunity. It has empowered federations to focus on long-term sustainability instead of short-term fixes.

Established in 1982 and admitted to FIFA in 1986, the Cabo Verdean Football Federation (FCF) has made significant strides in advancing football nationwide. Support from the FIFA Forward program, which includes financial assistance for national team operations, has been instrumental in driving this progress. Since 2016, FIFA has invested $1 billion USD in Africa through FIFA Forward, and Cape Verde is one of the first nations where the change is visible, having qualified for the World Cup.

The FIFA Forward program has helped to modernize the FCF’s operations, improving its infrastructure, working environment, and overall readiness for international competition. With this financial backing, the Cape Verde national team gained the resources needed to manage international travel, training camps, and essential equipment. The program’s funding also supported the construction of new artificial pitches and the renovation of the Aderito Sena Stadium, enabling the nation to meet hosting standards for World Cup qualifiers and other major matches.

“It’s a victory for the Cape Verdean people, for those who are here and those who are abroad,” said Cape Verde head coach coach Pedro Leitão Brito, commonly known as Bubista, to FIFA.com. “It’s also a victory for unity.”

This sense of unity speaks to the broader social impact of football, which often transcends sport to become a symbol of collective pride and resilience.

With the infrastructure and new outlook on the federation made possible by funding from the FIFA Forward program, Cape Verde has been able to attract players who previously may not have considered representing the nation. For many dual nationals, the opportunity to compete at the international level has strengthened their connection to their heritage and allowed them to contribute to the growth of Cape Verdean football.

Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira is one of several dual-nationals for the Cape Verde national team. Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images

MLS Cup Champion Steven Moreira, one of the leaders on this Cape Verde team, reflected on the emotional significance of the qualification.

Speaking to Tiago Brandao of Territory MLS, Morreira said: “It’s incredible, the most beautiful thing I’ve achieved in my life, because I moved to another country and made my family proud. My wish is to go as far as possible with the team, make history, and if we can play against France, Brazil, or other great teams, that would be wonderful.”

Moreira’s words reflect the dual identity many Cape Verdean players share — a balance between global ambition and national loyalty. For Cape Verde, attracting such talent marks a turning point. The success of these players will likely inspire future generations and strengthen the domestic football system.

Another example of Cape Verde’s growing influence is Roberto Lopes, who was born in Ireland to a Cabo Verdean father and has spent his entire playing career in the League of Ireland with Bohemians and now Shamrock Rovers. Lopes stated that playing international football had given his career a new dimension.

“You could say it’s skyrocketed — it really has,” Lopes told FIFA. “Being able to test yourself against the best players in the world, bringing back your knowledge to the team, and trying to improve yourself every day – it’s made me a better player, it’s made me a better person, and I’ve experienced things I never would have in my life before.”

His comments encapsulate the transformative power of international football, not just for the players but for the nation they represent. By investing in development and providing access to global competition, FIFA Forward has allowed nations like Cape Verde to broaden their horizons and take meaningful steps toward sustainable football growth.

The Cape Verde example demonstrates that FIFA Forward’s success is not measured solely by financial figures but by the social, cultural, and developmental outcomes it facilitates. Through infrastructure projects, improved governance, and targeted funding, the program has laid the groundwork for long-term success. Cape Verde’s World Cup qualification serves as a case study in how equitable investment and strategic vision can reshape a small nation’s sporting identity.

Furthermore, the nation’s achievement underscores a growing trend within African football: smaller federations are no longer content to play supporting roles. With enhanced resources and a renewed sense of purpose, they are beginning to challenge traditional powers on the world stage.

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FIFA’s commitment to developing the global game continues to expand. In line with its strategy to make football truly international, the organization plans to invest a record-breaking $5 billion in the sport by the end of 2026. This will be FIFA Forward 3.0. Since 2020, FIFA has constructed 32 pitches worldwide, with two more set to open in Guinea-Bissau this November. Of these 34 total pitches, 26 are located across Africa, highlighting FIFA’s focus on advancing football infrastructure throughout the continent.

Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup qualification is more than a sporting success, it’s a national milestone born from years of strategic development, investment, and belief. The FIFA Forward program has been a catalyst for this transformation, allowing the nation to build the infrastructure and confidence needed to compete globally. As Cape Verde prepares to take its place among the world’s best, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, opportunity, and unity converge under the shared language of football.

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Follow Favian Renkel on X and Instagram.