Imagine the volcanic archipelago of Cape Verde lighting up in pure joy! ⚽🎉 On Monday, the Blue Sharks roared to a 3-0 victory over Eswatini, sealing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history.
Dailon Livramento fired the opener in the 48th minute, Willy Semedo doubled the lead in the 54th, and Stopira wrapped it up deep into stoppage time. Fans chanted, drums beat, and the government even declared a half-day holiday so everyone could tune in to this epic underdog story!
With just about 525,000 residents, Cape Verde now ranks as the second-smallest nation by population to reach soccer's biggest stage – right behind Iceland's 2018 fairytale run. Talk about punching above your weight! 💪🌊
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it a historic moment and said he can't wait to hear the Cape Verde anthem echoing around stadiums next year.
The Blue Sharks topped Group D with four points to spare, while Cameroon couldn't find a win against Angola. Even before the final whistle, hopes were high – but that 3-0 result made the party official!
Tickets flew off the shelves in record time, and by night's end, the streets were alive with dancing, music, and dreams of summer 2026. This is more than football – it's a spark for a new generation of fans in Cape Verde. 🔥
Get ready world, Cape Verde is here to make some waves at the World Cup! 🌟
Reference(s):
Cape Verde qualify for World Cup for 1st time after beating Eswatini
cgtn.com
