CAPE VERDE made history as they qualified for the 2026 World Cup in heroic fashion.<\/p>\n
The African island country defeated Eswatini 3-0 in their last qualifier at their national stadium in their country\u2019s capital city of Praia.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the Sport newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tThank you!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Cape Verde made history as they qualified for the 2026 World Cup in heroic fashionCredit: Cristiano Barbosa\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
Cape Verdedefeated Eswatini 3-0 in their last World Cup qualifierCredit: Cristiano Barbosa\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
Cape Verde became the second least populated country to ever make it to the World CupCredit: Cristiano Barbosa\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
Cape Verde also became the smallest nation by area to qualify for the World CupCredit: Cristiano Barbosa\/Sportsfile<\/p>\n
Tension mounted among the home fans at half-time as the score remained goalless but the ground came unglued just three minutes into the second half.<\/p>\n
That was when Dailon Livramento broke the deadlock to realise the nation\u2019s wild dream of making it to the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n
Willy Semedo and Stopira also got on the scoresheet to seal Cape Verde<\/a>\u2018s place in the competition.<\/p>\n Wild celebrations erupted around the country as Bubista\u2019s men condemned African giants Cameroon<\/a> to the playoffs.<\/p>\n That means Manchester United<\/a> aces Bryan Mbeumo and Andre Onana, who currently plays on loan at Trabzonspor, will have extra work and pressure to make it to the World Cup.<\/p>\n Cape Verde won seven out of their 10 qualifiers and lost only once to Cameroon.<\/p>\n And they made history as they became the second least populated country to ever make it to the World Cup.<\/p>\n Cape Verde\u2019s population of 593,149 puts them only behind Iceland<\/a>\u2018s 391,810, seven years after they made the competition in Russia.<\/p>\n CASINO SPECIAL \u2013 BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM \u00a310 DEPOSITS<\/strong><\/p>\n The archipelagic state are also the smallest nation by area to qualify for the elite tournament.<\/p>\n A total of 4,000 square km spread over 10 islands in Cape Verde beats the record set by Trinidad and Tobago<\/a> with its 5,000 square km in the 2006 World Cup.<\/p>\n