Brockton, Massachusetts – By Yves Cajuste, InfoHaïti.net – Cape Verde qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in its history after a commanding 3-0 win over Eswatini on Sunday, sealing first place in Group D of African qualifying. The result guarantees the Atlantic island nation a spot at next year’s tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With a population of about 525,000, Cape Verde becomes the second-smallest country ever to reach the men’s World Cup, following Iceland’s qualification in 2018. The team, led by coach Pedro “Bubista” Leitão Brito, rebounded from a slow start to the campaign to record five consecutive victories, including key wins over Cameroon and Angola that propelled them to the top of the standings.
The milestone reshapes the African qualifying picture, leaving traditional powerhouse Cameroon needing to advance through the playoff route to keep its World Cup hopes alive. Celebrations erupted across Cape Verde and among its global diaspora, marking the qualification as a victory of determination and national pride for the island nation.
