A carnival-like atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde's capital Praia on Tuesday AEDT after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the first time ever for the World Cup.
Amid honking horns and street fireworks, euphoric fans poured out of the Cape Verde National Stadium following the 3-0 victory over Eswatini, which secured the Blue Sharks a place in the 2026 finals, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In the streets, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funaná music.
It was "an incredible moment", 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento told Agence France-Presse not far from the stadium.
"I don't have words. I was at the stadium and I supported our team unconditionally," he said.
Cape Verde clinched their qualification for the 2026 World Cup after beating Eswatini. Source: AP / Cristiano Barbosa
It becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000, at Russia 2018.
"I shouted a lot during the match and now my voice is bad, but I am happy," Praia resident Jose Vieira said after the victory, which he watched live in the stadium.
The celebrations were expected to continue into the night with a concert at Praia's municipal stadium featuring local artists such as Djodje and Soraia Ramos.
Football fans celebrated in the streets after Cape Verde qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Source: AFP / Queila Fernandes
Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde.
An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
"It's a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence," Bubista said.
"It's a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence."
Cape Verde is the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global football showpiece, with just 550,000 inhabitants. Source: AFP / Queila Fernandes
"We knew we could do better (in the second half), and that's it ... it's time to celebrate," he said.
"It's too emotional. I embrace all the Cape Verdean people, at home and in our great diaspora," said scorer Stopira.
Captain and striker Ryan Mendes said: "Honestly, I don't have the words to describe this moment. I'm very, very happy."
Cape Verde's Stopira (bottom) celebrates with his teammate after defeating Eswatini. Source: AP / Cristiano Barbosa
"It's time to celebrate," 39-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha told the press, saying he had "been dreaming of this moment since I was a child".
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Cape Verde have now won groups and filled six of the nine places automatically reserved for Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Fan Jose Jorge Borges, a 60-year-old journalist, said it was a very memorable moment for Cape Verdeans.
"The emotions are visible and difficult to describe."
