Cape Verde qualify for the 2026 World Cup

Even more unlikely is that San Marino are on course for a play off spot, due to them topping their Nations League group.

First of all they must make sure they lose their final group game to Romania, otherwise they might not qualify through the regular route to the play offs and nick San Marino's place in the Nations League route.

I'm quite sure that San Marino will lose to Romania even if their lives depended on it. But It's a farcical situation they've created, where losing keeps you in with a shout and winning means you're out.
 
That's great.

It seems like they've gone the Morocco route of hiring someone whose job it is to find anyone with a grandparent. A few Dutchies in there, a few from Portugal, a couple from France, and even an Irish defender.

Malaysia just got banned for faking birth certificates the get a bunch of South Americans to qualify. It turns out that it's not hard to find their real birth certificates and prove that the Malaysian FA were lying. They could end up with a lengthy ban if they're shown to have deliberately cheated (which they definitely did).
 
blue b4 the moon said:
New Caledonia are I heard the smallest territory/country to possibly qualify.

Just need to get through the playoff
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In terms of population, it would have to be the Faroe Islands. They won't qualify because Czech Republic just need to beat Gibraltar but I read somewhere that the country only has 1,500 males under 40, so it's pretty remarkable they've come as far as they have.
 
I'm With Stupid said:
That's great.

It seems like they've gone the Morocco route of hiring someone whose job it is to find anyone with a grandparent. A few Dutchies in there, a few from Portugal, a couple from France, and even an Irish defender.

Malaysia just got banned for faking birth certificates the get a bunch of South Americans to qualify. It turns out that it's not hard to find their real birth certificates and prove that the Malaysian FA were lying. They could end up with a lengthy ban if they're shown to have deliberately cheated (which they definitely did).
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Big Jack opened the floodgates using that trick if I recall?

If you even mentioned the colour green or you liked Horses you could get in his side as a fully paid up Irishman :)
 
Stephen230 said:
Even more unlikely is that San Marino are on course for a play off spot, due to them topping their Nations League group.

First of all they must make sure they lose their final group game to Romania, otherwise they might not qualify through the regular route to the play offs and nick San Marino's place in the Nations League route.

I'm quite sure that San Marino will lose to Romania even if their lives depended on it. But It's a farcical situation they've created, where losing keeps you in with a shout and winning means you're out.
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This indeed is farcical.
 
Maybe the Republic of Bluemoonia should enter a team, we'd easily qualify.
 
RodneyRodney said:
Nani was from Cabo de Verde, but I think he played for Portugal (?)
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They where once owned by portugal so if they leave the island's that seems to be there destination bought the footy top (€6) when I was last there when I looked had the shorts in as well full kit wanker :)
 
Gabon and Burkina Faso are also looking good bets to qualify too. Benin too have a great chance due to South Africa getting docked points for fielding an ineligible player. Niger also have an outside chance as one of the best group runners up, but need results to go in their favour.
 
It's a great story but they're actually one of the better African sides in the last 5 years. Losing the AFCON 2025 qualifying playoff the only hiccup.

Lost in the quarters on pens at AFCON 2023. 99% of their squad play in Europe. One of the higher African countries for living standards which usually equates to doing well at sport. Also, they're utilising those who have gone through youth development in Europe with roots back to Cape Verde like the other African sides have done. 14/25 born in Europe, I think Rotterdam has large community of Cape Verdeans.

Now 10 sides from Africa qualify, expanded tournament, never been easier to qualify. It was always going be them or Cameroon from that group.

I hope they do it though, it'll still be a great achievement.
 
Stephen230 said:
In terms of population, it would have to be the Faroe Islands. They won't qualify because Czech Republic just need to beat Gibraltar but I read somewhere that the country only has 1,500 males under 40, so it's pretty remarkable they've come as far as they have.
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That’s basically a large village. Absolutely mental.
 
RodneyRodney said:
Nani was from Cabo de Verde, but I think he played for Portugal (?)
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They have had a few players born there represent Portugal over the years.

Henrique Ben David (6 caps, 4 goals, 1950–1952)
Carlos Alhinho (15 caps, 0 goals, 1973–1982)
Óscar Duarte (1 cap, 0 goals, 1978)
Paris (1 cap, 0 goals, 1983)
Oceano da Cruz (54 caps, 8 goals, 1985–1998)
Neno (9 caps, 0 goals, 1989–1996)
Nélson Marcos (4 caps, 0 goals, 2009–2012)
Rolando (21 caps, 0 goals, 2009–2018)
Gelson Martins (21 caps, 1 goal, 2016–present)

Plenty more with roots in Cape Verde aswell, including Nani and Manuel Fernandes who played for Everton.
 
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