Cape Verde have written a new chapter in their footballing history after securing qualification for the FIFA World Cup for the very first time.

The Blue Sharks sealed their place among the sport’s global elite in dominant fashion, defeating Eswatini 3-0 in their final qualifier. Goals from Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and veteran defender Stopira ensured a perfect conclusion to a campaign that has thrilled the island nation.

With a population of just over 500,000, Cape Verde becomes the second-least populous country ever to reach the World Cup — only Iceland, at the 2018 edition in Russia, had fewer inhabitants. Covering a modest 4,000 square kilometres, the archipelago also claims the distinction of being the smallest nation by land area ever to qualify, surpassing Trinidad and Tobago’s record from Germany 2006.

Throughout the qualifiers, the Blue Sharks faced fierce competition from Cameroon but stayed composed under pressure. Battling windy conditions in the decisive match, Bubista’s men waited patiently before Livramento broke the deadlock early in the second half. Semedo doubled the lead soon after, reacting quickest to Ryan Mendes’ rebounded shot, before 37-year-old Stopira — making his national team debut back in 2008 — came off the bench to score a fitting third in stoppage time.

Under head coach Bubista, a former national team player himself, Cape Verde impressed with their disciplined defending, tactical organization, and creative attacking play. They conceded only four goals in ten qualifiers, keeping seven clean sheets.

The journey to qualification included five straight victories, highlighted by a crucial 1-0 win over Cameroon last month. Although a thrilling 3-3 draw with Libya briefly postponed the celebrations, the team ultimately completed their historic mission against Eswatini — sparking nationwide jubilation.