Cape Verde and Ghana Qualify for 2026 World Cup
Cape Verde and Ghana have both qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, turning disappointment into celebration after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde, an island nation of around 550,000 people, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the smallest African country to qualify for the World Cup. Ghana, a four-time African champion, also secured its spot after a strong qualifying campaign. Their qualification brings joy to fans who had been frustrated by their earlier failures. The two nations now join Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia as the nine African teams automatically heading to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Four more teams — Cameroon, Gabon, DR Congo, and Nigeria — will compete in a mini-tournament in November for a chance to reach intercontinental play-offs in March. […]