On Monday, October 13th, 2025, the Cape Verde national football team (The Blue Sharks) made history and made everyone cry when they qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time. Securing a 3-0 victory over Eswatini in their final African qualification group match, the island nation has become one of the smallest countries both in size and population to have qualified for the global tournament.

The victory, sealed before 15,000 ecstatic fans in the nation's capital city, Praia, is a culmination of decades of national bragging and strategic expansion, the third historic benchmark in the country's 50-year history following independence.

The final Group D game was a nervous game until the second half, when the "Blue Sharks" found rhythm and broke through the deep defence of Eswatini.

• First Half: The match was nervous and goalless, with the home team unable to break through the defence line amidst windy conditions. Manager Bubista later admitted he told his players to "seize the moment" and overcome their shyness.

• Goals:

  • 1-0 (48th minute): Dailon Livramento (Tap-in from close range, releasing the deafening stadium roar).

  • 2-0 (54th minute): Willy Semedo (Securing the 2-goal advantage and initiating widespread, joyous celebrations).

  • 3-0 (90+1 minute): Stopira (Veteran defender and substitute at the death, placing his stamp on historic qualification). 

Cape Verde's qualification is a record-breaking sports news globally that justifies the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams.

Population Record: With an approximate population of 525,000 individuals, Cape Verde is the second smallest country in terms of population to have ever qualified for the men's World Cup, only coming behind Iceland (2018).

Area Record: The country (4,033 km²) archipelago is set to become the smallest nation by size to have ever competed, usurping Trinidad and Tobago as the previous record holder.

Sporting History: The country, which became independent of Portugal in 1975, reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals a record 4 times (including 2023 and 2013), but this is the first time they have appeared at the World Cup since their first qualifying attempt back in 2002.

The national team's success reflects the strong bond with its global constituency, commonly referred to as the "11th island" of the archipelago.

• Diaspora Contribution: The team also relies heavily on players born outside the world to Cape Verdean mothers or grandmothers. Most of the members of the final team were chosen from the diaspora residing in countries like Portugal, France, and the Netherlands.

• Recruitment Strategy: Dual-nationality player recruitment was introduced at the beginning of the 2000s, transforming the issue of mass emigration into an elite competitive advantage. Individuals like Dailon Livramento (Rotterdam-born qualifier top scorer with 4 goals) have found huge pride in representing the land of their origins.

• Livramento on the success: "To be able to repay the efforts of our grandparents and parents, who emigrated to give us a better future, that is the least we can do."

Seasoned head coach Pedro Leitão Brito, affectionately called Bubista, directed the masterplan campaign, combining the diaspora potential with the heart and soul of the homegrown core.

• Stability of Coaching: Officials still had confidence in Bubista despite early woes, and he repaid that faith by leading the side to a crucial 5 successive victories towards the later stages of the qualifying process, most notably a defining 1-0 home victory over Cameroon.

• Homegrown Pillars: Bubista focused on establishing the Cape Verdean identity, relying on veterans who had started their careers playing in the local semi-professional league (where salaries are low). Goalkeeper Vozinha (39) and defender Stopira were key pillars of the team's backbone and leadership.

• Atmosphere: A carnival-like atmosphere broke out in the capital city of Praia following the final whistle. The fans flooded out, dancing to music played by funaná, honking car horns, and joining parties lit up by fireworks.

• National Pride: President José Maria Neves was happy about the achievement. He said that qualifying for the World Cup was like "a new independence" and a strong sign of how far the country has come since 1975.

• Financial Windfall: National Football Association (FCF) will benefit with a significant financial gain of over $10 million estimated from the World Cup group stage.

• Note: All the above points are the result of translating the given English text into Hindi.

• Investment Objectives: The funds are needed to enable the FCF to create a more organised scouting network to uncover and integrate emerging talents from the diaspora, turning this moment of history into a foundation, not a peak.

• Empowering the Future Generation: Success is described as "empowering a new generation of football fans" across the country, turning the aspirations of young islanders.

Cape Verde's historic entry into the FIFA World Cup is a triumph of heart, of strategy, and global solidarity. The victory against Eswatini and the esprit de corps of the "Blue Sharks" have secured the island nation's place in the game's top arena. They join a select band of countries like Iceland and Trinidad and Tobago, which broke through their population numbers to achieve the ultimate sporting dream. This achievement of breaking records guarantees that the Cape Verdean flag will wave high in North America in 2026.