Wed | Oct 15, 2025

South Africa join smallest country Cape Verde at biggest World Cup

Published:Wednesday | October 15, 2025 | 12:09 AM
Rwanda's Claude Niyomugabo (right) stops South Africa's Thapelo Morena during a World Cup 2026 group C qualifying football match at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, South Africa, yesterday.
AP
Rwanda's Claude Niyomugabo (right) stops South Africa's Thapelo Morena during a World Cup 2026 group C qualifying football match at Mbombela Stadium, in Nelspruit, South Africa, yesterday.

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

SOUTH AFRICA became the latest African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Rwanda 3-0 yesterday to top their qualifying group, despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in earlier games.

It will be South Africa’s first appearance at a World Cup since they qualified automatically as the hosts in 2010.

South Africa’s victory meant Nigeria finished second in the group and will have to qualify through a playoff.

Nigeria beat Benin 4-0 at home after a hat-trick from star striker Victor Osimhen. Benin had led the group before the last round.

On Monday, Cape Verde made it to the World Cup for the first time after beating Eswatini 3-0 to win their group in African qualifying.

The archipelago of volcanic islands off the western coast of Africa secured one of the nine automatic spots for the continent. It will be the second smallest country by population to feature in the tournament after Iceland in 2018.

“What a historic moment,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message. “Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.

“Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible, and this is a moment where your stars will become global and power a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde.”

The Blue Sharks finished with four more points than Cameroon, who couldn’t manage more than 0-0 against Angola at home.

Cape Verde, a nation of about 525,000 people, arrived needing a victory and could have qualified even with a loss as long as Cameroon didn’t defeat Angola.

The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up play in a mini tournament of two semi-finals and a final in November. Cameroon can still advance as runners-up.

The repechage winner advances to FIFA’s playoff tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America, and Oceania.

Tickets for the Cape Verde match were sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day holiday across the country so people could watch the game.

The 2026 World Cup is the first with an expanded field of 48 teams, up from 32.