Cape Verde on the Brink of World Cup History: A Nation’s Dream within Reach
Uzbekistan and Jordan have already secured their spots, but the next “small giant” to qualify for the 2026 World Cup could be Cape Verde. the island nation is on the cusp of a historic first - a berth in the tournament, and their fans are already celebrating the possibility like a championship victory.
How can a footballing nation the size of Duisburg (Germany) and slightly larger than Saarland find itself ahead of footballing powerhouses like Germany and Italy? The answer could soon be “a carefree autumn and a guaranteed World Cup ticket for 2026.”
Cape Verde needs just one victory to qualify for the first time. Their recent 1-0 win against favored Cameroon in September sparked a jubilant outpouring of national pride at the stadium in Praia. Fans stormed the field at the final whistle, celebrating with flares and an atmosphere reminiscent of a major title win.
Two Match Balls to Glory
While Germany and Italy face potentially complex calculations and a possible playoff route, Cape Verde’s path is straightforward: a win against Libya on Wednesday (3 p.m. local time) will secure their place in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Should thay stumble, a second opportunity awaits in a home game against winless Eswatini.Qualification is within reach, and a state of festivity is anticipated across the nine inhabited islands of the nation. Uzbekistan and Jordan have already demonstrated that underdog success is possible.
“You can see how happy,proud and excited all the people are here. Hopefully we can make them a little more proud in the coming week,” said Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira, who hopes to lead his “Blue Sharks” to the USA, Mexico and Canada. Moreira,with four years of experience in the MLS,is familiar with the North American football landscape.
A Team Built on Heart, Not Market Value
Cape Verde’s squad is comprised of largely unknown players, with a collective market value roughly equivalent to that of Wolfsburg defender Constantino Koulieraki. While the nation boasts ancestors with famous footballing pasts – including Swedish legend Henrik Larsson and French star Patrick Vieira – neither ever represented Cape Verde on the international stage.
Currently, the team’s most prominent player is Logan Costa, a regular at Spanish club FC Villarreal. The 1.90-meter defender is currently sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear sustained in July, but is expected to be fit for the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Following in the Footsteps of Footballing Fairytales
Cape Verde could become the second-smallest nation by population to ever participate in a World Cup, following Iceland’s debut in Russia in 2018. “It’s incredible. The mood is crazy,” Moreira stated, believing that World Cup qualification would have a positive impact on the islands beyond the sporting realm. “Everything would change. More people will come and see how lovely the country is.”
Like Haiti in 1974,Jamaica in 1998,Angola and Trinidad & Tobago in 2006,Cape Verde has the potential to become the heartwarming story of an underdog at the world’s most prestigious football event. Three preliminary round games in notable stadiums would be the reward for their success.
And Pedro Leitao Brito – known as Bubista – could cement his legacy as a national football hero. The national coach has led the team as 2020, and now stands on the verge of achieving a long-held dream. “I’ve been dreaming of winning the Africa Cup for a long time and qualifying for the World Cup,” Bubista said. He is now poised to realize at least one of those ambitions.
