Overview

• Cape Verde sealed qualification with a 3-0 win over Eswatini in Praia, with goals from Dailon Rocha Livramento, Willy Semedo and Stopira.
• The island nation becomes the smallest African qualifier and the third confirmed debutant for 2026, joining Uzbekistan and Jordan.
• More than half the squad was born abroad, reflecting years of diaspora scouting that has even recruited via social media, including defender Roberto “Pico” Lopes.
• The government declared a special day with shortened working hours so citizens could watch, as celebrations linked the achievement to the 50th year of independence.
• In Europe, the Faroe Islands’ 2-1 upset of Czechia preserves a long-shot play-off route that depends on a result in Croatia on 14 November and a Czech slip against Gibraltar.