Cape Verde, the small African nation with a inhabitants of about 525,000 individuals, has certified for the World Cup for the primary time. The historic second occurred on Monday when Cape Verde defeated Eswatini 3-0, profitable their group within the African event. Cape Verde, positioned off the western coast of Africa, turns into the second smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, ESPN reported. Iceland, which certified in 2018, remains to be the identical nation to qualify.
Supporters have a good time Cape Verde’s victory in opposition to Eswatini throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like ambiance erupted within the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation certified for the primary time ever for the World Cup. Positioned off the coast of Senegal, it’s the nation with the smallest inhabitants to symbolize Africa within the world showpiece, with simply 550,000 inhabitants. | Picture by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP through Getty PhotosSupporters have a good time Cape Verde’s victory in opposition to Eswatini throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like ambiance erupted within the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation certified for the primary time ever for the World Cup. Positioned off the coast of Senegal, it’s the nation with the smallest inhabitants to symbolize Africa within the world showpiece, with simply 550,000 inhabitants. | Picture by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP through Getty PhotosSupporters have a good time Cape Verde’s victory in opposition to Eswatini throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like ambiance erupted within the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation certified for the primary time ever for the World Cup. Positioned off the coast of Senegal, it’s the nation with the smallest inhabitants to symbolize Africa within the world showpiece, with simply 550,000 inhabitants. | Picture by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP through Getty PhotosSupporters react throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match between Cape Verde and Eswatini at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like ambiance erupted within the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation certified for the primary time ever for the World Cup. Positioned off the coast of Senegal, it’s the nation with the smallest inhabitants to symbolize Africa within the world showpiece, with simply 550,000 inhabitants. | Picture by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP through Getty Photos
How did Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Dailon Livramento opened the scoring for Cape Verde within the forty eighth minute of Monday’s match in opposition to Eswatini. Willy Semedo then adopted up with one other purpose within the 54th to make it 2-0. In stoppage time, Stopira added another for the Blue Sharks to safe the unforgettable victory. After Monday’s win, Cape Verde completed 4 factors forward of Cameroon to win the group and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
What number of groups from Africa qualify for the World Cup?
At the very least 9 groups will symbolize Africa on the 2026 World Cup, which may have a complete of 48 groups competing within the event subsequent summer season. Whereas the 9 group winners from African qualifying robotically qualify for the World Cup, 4 runners-up will compete in a playoff event for an opportunity to seize one other spot.
The winner of the mini event will advance to play in a event that includes nations from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.
Along with Cape Verde, Tunisia has additionally gained its group in African qualifying to safe a World Cup spot. It was a clean event for Tunisia, which totaled 13 extra factors than second-placed Namibia within the group. In its remaining match, Tunisia took down Namibia 3-0 at dwelling.
Ghana has additionally certified for the World Cup, together with Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. The 2026 World Cup shall be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.
