Cape Verde, the small African nation with a population of about 525,000 people, has qualified for the World Cup for the first time. The historic moment happened on Monday when Cape Verde defeated Eswatini 3-0, winning their group in the African tournament. Cape Verde, located off the western coast of Africa, becomes the second smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, ESPN reported. Iceland, which qualified in 2018, is still the same country to qualify.

Supporters celebrate Cape Verde's victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde’s victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants. | Photo by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde's victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde’s victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants. | Photo by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde's victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde’s victory against Eswatini during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants. | Photo by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters react during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match between Cape Verde and Eswatini at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants.
Supporters react during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group D match between Cape Verde and Eswatini at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on October 13, 2025. A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup. Located off the coast of Senegal, it is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants. | Photo by QUEILA FERNANDES/AFP via Getty Images

How did Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Dailon Livramento opened the scoring for Cape Verde in the 48th minute of Monday’s match against Eswatini. Willy Semedo then followed up with another goal in the 54th to make it 2-0. In stoppage time, Stopira added one more for the Blue Sharks to secure the unforgettable victory. After Monday’s win, Cape Verde finished four points ahead of Cameroon to win the group and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

How many teams from Africa qualify for the World Cup?

At least nine teams will represent Africa at the 2026 World Cup, which will have a total of 48 teams competing in the tournament next summer. While the nine group winners from African qualifying automatically qualify for the World Cup, four runners-up will compete in a playoff tournament for a chance to grab another spot.

The winner of the mini tournament will advance to play in a tournament featuring countries from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.

In addition to Cape Verde, Tunisia has also won its group in African qualifying to secure a World Cup spot. It was a smooth tournament for Tunisia, which totaled 13 more points than second-placed Namibia in the group. In its final match, Tunisia took down Namibia 3-0 at home.

Ghana has also qualified for the World Cup, along with Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.