Cape Verde Qualifies for World Cup for the Very First Time

Cape Verde, a small island nation of about 500,000 people, qualified for the 2026 World Cup on October 13, 2025, by defeating Eswatini 3-0. The team found its edge by recruiting players with family ties to Portugal, the Netherlands, and France—a strategy that worked because those nations' citizens can represent Cape Verde. More spots for Africa in the expanded World Cup tournament helped. The qualification brings tens of millions in prize money and will transform the nation's sports infrastructure for years.