Will it be in 2026 that Cape Verde will finally reach the World Cup? AFRICA WITH 9.5 VACANCIES

There are nine guaranteed places and one more that may or may not be obtained through an intercontinental play-off.

With the expansion from 32 to 48 participants, as already confirmed by FIFA, Africa, instead of the current five places, will have 9 direct places and one in the play-off at the 2026 World Cup, which doubles the possibility of Cape Verde qualifying for the world event, which would be unprecedented in the history of Cape Verdean football.

But be careful: although with a better chance of qualifying, Cape Verde's participation in the 2026 World Cup is not a given and Cape Verde will have to, from now on, PLAN and PREPARE for the difficult qualifying rounds that will start in mid-2023 .

The Blue Sharks are currently outside the African Top 10 (13th in the CAF ranking) and it will certainly not be easy, but not impossible, to get their passport stamped for the United States, Canada and Mexico 2026.