In a moment that’s got football fans worldwide cheering 🎉, Cape Verde has secured its first-ever FIFA World Cup berth with a thrilling 3-0 victory over Eswatini! The Blue Sharks dominated their final qualifying match, sealing their spot in the 2026 tournament and becoming the second-smallest nation by population to qualify after Iceland in 2018.
🔥 Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira lit up the stadium, sparking wild celebrations as fans chanted and players embraced under the floodlights. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called it a "historic moment," praising Cape Verde’s football development and declaring their anthem will "echo across the globe."
With a population of just 525,000, this archipelago off Africa’s coast defied the odds, topping Group D ahead of Cameroon. The government even declared a half-day holiday so everyone could witness the game—talk about national pride! 🇨🇻
Next up? Cape Verde joins Africa’s nine automatic qualifiers, while four runners-up will battle for a playoff chance. For now, though, the islands are basking in a victory that’s already inspiring a new generation of football lovers. 🌟
