Cape Verde’s historic leap – from archipelagic underdogs to World Cup debutants

In a nation of only 525,000 people scattered across 10 volcanic islands off Africa’s west coast, football has long been more than just a game in Cape Verde – it is a symbol of unity and aspiration. 

The national team – nicknamed the “Blue Sharks” – have quietly punched above their weight in the sport.

But on Oct 13, they delivered a seismic shock and made waves,

defeating Eswatini 3-0 to clinch their group’s top spot

and qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

With a population smaller than many European cities, the archipelago nation secured their first-ever berth at the global showpiece, edging out five-time African champions Cameroon by four points. 

This triumph, as they look ahead to the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks not just a sporting milestone but also a cultural eruption for a country marking 50 years of independence from Portugal in 1975.

The victory unfolded at Estadio Nacional in Praia, the capital, before a sell-out crowd of 15,000.

A tense, goal-less first half gave way to second-half fireworks as Dailon Rocha Livramento, Willy Semedo and veteran defender Stopira sealed the famous victory.

Ranked 71st globally, Cape Verde finished with 23 points from 10 matches – seven wins, two draws and one loss – showcasing tactical discipline under coach Pedro “Bubista” Brito.

Their only stumble was a 4-1 drubbing in Cameroon early on, but revenge came in September with a 1-0 home win over the Indomitable Lions, a result that all but guaranteed their ascent.

For Cape Verde, qualification transcends the pitch.

“Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest Fifa World Cup ever,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino, as quoted by ESPN.

“Your work and your development in football in recent years have been incredible... this is a moment in which your stars will become global and will propel a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde.”

The expanded tournament, with Africa’s slots rising from five to nine automatic qualifiers, have allowed underdogs like the Blue Sharks to dream big. 

Yet, this was not mere luck. It is the fruit of strategic recruitment from the vast diaspora – estimated at over a million strong, often called the “11th island” – blended with home-grown grit.

According to The Guardian, 14 of the 25 players called up for the past two qualifiers were living abroad.

Players like Garry Rodrigues (born in the Netherlands) and Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers captain who has Irish roots) embody this fusion, their European pedigrees fortifying a squad who reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2013 and 2023.

The implications ripple far beyond 2026.

Economically, the World Cup could inject tourism and infrastructure boosts; Fifa’s Forward programme funded stadium upgrades and training centres, enabling Cape Verde to host qualifiers for the first time – as 

inside.fifa.com

 reported.

Socially, residents are more inclined to stay because of the potential of more job opportunities. According to the International Organisation for Migration, the number of Cape Verdeans living abroad today is estimated to be around 700,000, more than domestic residents.

President Jose Maria Neves, who watched from the stands on Oct 13, called it “a new independence”.

“By clinching a place in the World Cup, we’ve shown that Cabo Verde is a country of possibilities – a people who trust themselves and thrive on hope,” he posted on his official page.

At the end of the day, it all stems from football, and it will be about football for the foreseeable future.

Post-final whistle on Oct 13, celebrations erupted and there was a carnival-like atmosphere in the streets of Praia.

Honking horns and fireworks greeted fans who made their way out of the Cape Verde National Stadium, and people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music till late into the night.

“Giving this happiness to these people is enormous. It’s a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence,” said coach Bubista, as quoted by the BBC.

Defender Lopes, who has a Cape Verdean father and an Irish mother, echoed the sentiment: “It’s a victory for the Cape Verdean people, for those who are here and those who are abroad. It’s also a victory for unity.

“I hope my dad is very proud. He’s the reason why I’m playing for the Cape Verde national team... to represent him and my family at this level, and now on the biggest stage in football, is just amazing.”

Cape Verde’s feat invites comparisons to other diminutive nations that defied odds, underscoring football’s egalitarian magic. Iceland hold the record as the smallest, qualifying for 2018 with 352,000 people.

Like Cape Verde, Iceland leaned on diaspora talent and a collective spirit, boosting national pride and tourism. Trinidad and Tobago, with 1.3 million in 2006, were the then-smallest entrants before Iceland.

These stories highlight a pattern – small nations thrive on unity and should not be underestimated.

Cape Verde, at 525,000, slots second behind Iceland, but their African context – topping Cameroon, Africa’s most decorated World Cup side – adds poignancy.

Unlike Qatar’s 2022 host auto-qualification (2.8 million), Cape Verde earned it through grit, mirroring Slovenia’s 2002 debut (2 million) or New Zealand’s 2010 adventure (4.3 million).

Yet, challenges loom.

They must now navigate a group draw on Dec 4 in Washington, potentially facing giants like Brazil or France.

Infrastructure strains – flights between islands are pricey – and funding for preparation persist. Still, as Bubista told the BBC: “Many countries in Africa saw things change after qualifying... I think it will be the same in Cape Verde – it’s already changing.” 

For a nation in which football stitches diaspora dreams to island realities, 2026 will not be just a tournament – it will be a beacon of hope.