Cape Verdeans are overjoyed after their country qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Following a decisive 3-0 victory over Eswatini, the Blue Sharks have secured the very first ticket to the main event of world football. An exceptional moment at the Estádio Nacional de Praia.
The island nation of about 525,000 people will become the second smallest country by population, after Iceland in 2018, to participate in the tournament, after finishing ahead of Cameroon, Libya, Angola, Eswatini, and Mauritius in Group D of the African qualifiers.
“I can’t find the words to express what I’m feeling: immense relief, joy, all sorts of emotions… It’s an incredible feeling. We did it. This was our goal, our objective, and we achieved it,” says Roberto “Pico” Lopes, central defender for the Blue Sharks.
“Honestly, I can’t process it at the moment. It’s just incredible. I can’t explain it. Honestly, I can’t explain it. I’m overwhelmed with emotions right now. I still can’t believe we are going to the World Cup. It’s crazy, yes,” rejoices Steven Moreira, right-back for the Cape Verde Blue Sharks.
