Tiny island, giant leap: Cape Verde at FIFA World Cup

Cape Verde completed a footballing fairytale on Monday, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history with a commanding 3-0 victory over Eswatini in Praia.

Second-half goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and veteran Stopira sealed the momentous win, sparking wild celebrations across the Atlantic archipelago of just 600,000 people. The result saw Cape Verde top Group D with 23 points, four clear of African giants Cameroon, who were held to a goalless draw by Angola.

After a nervy first half, Livramento broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, capitalising on Eswatini's failure to clear the ball. Semedo doubled the lead six minutes later with another close-range finish before 37-year-old Stopira — brought on late in recognition of his long service since 2008 — added a stoppage-time third to complete the fairytale.

The government had declared a public holiday for the decisive match, and after Livramento's opener, celebrations erupted across the islands. Cape Verde, once an unknown in African football, have now become the smallest nation ever from the continent to qualify for a World Cup — and the second smallest in history after Iceland.

Iceland, with a population of around 340,000, became the smallest country to qualify for the global showpiece when they reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Cape Verde now follow in those footsteps, carrying the hopes of another small nation with a big dream.

Cape Verde's rise has been remarkable. Barely two decades ago, they were absent from the international scene, but steady development and a golden generation have transformed them into one of Africa's most inspiring success stories. They now join Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana among the continent's representatives at the 2026 finals in North America.

Meanwhile, Tunisia ended their own qualifying campaign unbeaten and without conceding a goal, wrapping up a 3-0 win over Namibia in Tunis. A first-half penalty from Ali El Abdi and second-half strikes from Hannibal Mejbri and captain Ferjani Sassi ensured the Carthage Eagles finished Group H with nine wins from ten matches. Namibia ended as runners-up but fell short of the points needed to qualify as one of the best second-placed sides.

Elsewhere, Liberia drew 1-1 away to Equatorial Guinea, while Sao Tome e Principe earned their first points of the campaign with a 1-0 win over Malawi — their first victory in 18 matches, courtesy of a Ronald Lumungo penalty.

For Cape Verde, however, the night belonged to them — a tiny island nation that has finally made its way to football's grandest stage.