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Cape Verde erupt in celebration after historic first World Cup qualification
The Mercury
|October 15, 2025
A CARNIVAL-LIKE atmosphere erupted in the streets of Cape Verde's capital, Praia, on Monday after the tiny archipelago nation qualified for the World Cup for the first time.
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Cape Verde fans flooded the streets of Praia in jubilation after the Blue Sharks qualified for their maiden Fifa World Cup with a 3-0 win over Eswatini. | AFP
(AFP)
Honking horns and street fireworks greeted euphoric fans pouring 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 US, Canada and Mexico. In the streets, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.
It was “an incredible moment”, 37-year-old fan Jorge Junior Livramento said near the stadium.
“I don’t have words. I was at the stadium and I supported our team unconditionally,” he said.
Congratulating Cape Verde on their “historic moment”, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the achievement was likely to “power a new generation of football lovers” across the nation.
This story is from the October 15, 2025 edition of The Mercury.
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