PRAIA (Cape Verde), Oct 14 — 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.

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 United States, Canada and Mexico.