Portugalete Overview

Cape Verde became the second smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup after their 3-0 win over Eswatini guaranteed their spot at the tournament in North America in 2026. Watch the clip above as the full-time whistle sparked scenes of euphoria, both on the pitch and in the stands, with the players heralded as heroes after clinching a historic first qualification.

Cape Verde have officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the second-smallest nation ever to punch their ticket into the iconic quadrennial tournament. The African nation, which has a population of just 524,000, beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to seal their progression to the finals next summer, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.