Cape Verde will play in the men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time after beating Eswatini 3-0 to win its group in African qualifying for the 2026 showpiece.
The archipelago of volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa secured one of the nine automatic spots for the continent.
It will be the second-smallest country by population to feature in the tournament after Iceland in 2018.
Dailon Livramento scored in the 48th minute, Willy Semedo in the 54th and Stopira in stoppage time to secure the home victory and first place in Group D.
The Blue Sharks finished with four more points than Cameroon, who could not manage more than 0-0 with Angola at home.
Cape Verde, a nation of about 525,000 people, arrived needing a victory, and could have qualified even with a loss as long as Cameroon did not defeat Angola.
Tickets for the Cape Verde match were sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day holiday across the country so people could watch the game.
The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up play in a mini-tournament of two semifinals and a final in November. Cameroon can still advance as a runner-up.
The repechage winner advances to FIFA’s play-off tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first with an expanded field of 48 teams, up from 32.
Australia earned its qualification earlier this year by finishing second in their Asian group, behind Japan.
The Socceroos secured their World Cup berth with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah.
Rat briefly delays Wales-Belgium qualifier
Play was briefly delayed in a World Cup qualifier between Wales and Belgium after a rat entered the field.
A rat runs on the pitch during the FIFA World Cup European qualifying match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff. (AP: PA/David Davies)
Belgium was leading 2-1 in the second half when the rat was spotted outside the area of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian tried to pick up the rat, but it escaped.
Wales forward Brennan Johnson ended up chasing it away through the sidelines as the crowd cheered.
The small delay happened after the match was stopped by the referee so a player could receive treatment on the field.
Belgium won 4-2 to take the lead of Group J in European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
AP