Cape Verde Nears Historic World Cup Qualification Amid Controversy

Praia, Cape Verde — Cape Verde is on the brink of a historic achievement: qualifying for its first-ever World Cup. The national team, known as the Sharks, only needs a victory against Eswatini on October 16 to secure its spot in the 2026 tournament.

In their last match, Cape Verde faced Libya, where a controversial offside call in injury time denied them a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory. The Sharks were poised to win after scoring a late goal, only for the referee to blow the whistle, citing offside.

Despite the setback, Cape Verde remains at the top of Group D with 20 points, four ahead of Cameroon. The team’s journey to this point has been remarkable, considering they were once a footnote in international football, averaging fewer than two matches per year two decades ago.

Roberto “Pico” Lopes, a member of the Cape Verde team, spoke of his experience joining the national squad. He received an invitation via LinkedIn after nearly missing the chance due to a message landing in his spam folder. “I was absolutely buzzing,” Lopes said, eager to be part of the squad.

The upcoming match against Eswatini is crucial. If Cape Verde wins, they will not only qualify for the World Cup but also become the second-smallest nation to compete in the tournament, following Iceland.

The Sharks have been bolstered by a strong diaspora, which includes players based in Europe and the United States. Many of these athletes have connections to Cape Verdean heritage, contributing to the team’s competitive presence in international football.

Victory over Eswatini on October 16 will mark a significant milestone for Cape Verde, further solidifying their place in the world of football.