October 14, 2025 | 01:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Africa has sent another representative to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Cape Verde becoming the latest team from the continent to secure a ticket to the tournament.
The Cape Verde national football team made history after qualifying for their first-ever World Cup by thrashing Eswatini 3-0 in their final Group D match of the African qualifiers at the National Stadium in Praia, early Tuesday morning, October 14, 2025.
All three goals were scored in the second half by Dailon Livramento, Willy Semedo, and Stopira. Under coach Pedro Leitao Brito, Cape Verde topped Group D with a four-point lead over Cameroon, securing direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
This marks a historic achievement for the island nation, which had repeatedly fallen short in past qualification campaigns.
Cape Verde now joins Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana as Africa’s six confirmed representatives for the 2026 tournament.
The African confederation (CAF) has nine automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup. Four second-placed teams will compete in a mini playoff tournament in November, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff against representatives from Asia, CONCACAF, South America, and Oceania.
The 2026 World Cup will feature a new format, expanding the number of teams from 32 to 48. Cape Verde becomes the 22nd team to secure qualification.
Countries Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Hosts (3):
As joint hosts, three CONCACAF nations automatically qualify:
United States
Canada
Mexico
Asia (AFC)
Quota: 8 direct slots + 1 intercontinental playoff
Qualified so far (6):
Australia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
South Korea
Uzbekistan
Two more spots will be decided in the fourth qualifying round. Indonesia has been eliminated after suffering two defeats in that stage.
South America (CONMEBOL)
Quota: 6 direct slots + 1 intercontinental playoff
Qualified so far (6):
Argentina
Brazil
Ecuador
Colombia
Paraguay
Uruguay
Bolivia has earned a spot in the intercontinental playoff.
Oceania (OFC)
Quota: 1 direct slot + 1 intercontinental playoff
Qualified so far (1):
New Zealand
New Caledonia will compete in the intercontinental playoff. This marks the first time Oceania has been granted an automatic World Cup berth.
Africa (CAF)
Quota: 9 direct slots + 1 playoff
Qualified so far (6):
Morocco
Egypt
Tunisia
Algeria
Ghana
Cape Verde
Europe (UEFA)
Quota: 16 direct slots
Qualifying runs from March to November 2025, followed by playoffs in March 2026. No European team has yet secured qualification.
North and Central America & the Caribbean (CONCACAF)
Quota: 4 direct slots + 1 playoff
In addition to the three host nations, three more direct slots and two playoff spots remain up for grabs.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
The group stage draw is scheduled for December 2025 in Washington, D.C.
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