With a population equal to that of Tasmania, Cape Verde is the second smallest country to make it to the men's World Cup since the first tournament in 1930.
Here's a look at the tiniest countries in World Cup history, based on their population when they appeared at the tournament:
* ICELAND
With a population of just over 350,000, Iceland became the smallest country to reach the World Cup when they qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018.
That was two years after the team famously eliminated England to reach the quarter-finals of the 2016 European Championship.
In Russia, Iceland managed a draw against Argentina but losses to Croatia and Nigeria placed them last in Group D.
* CAPE VERDE
The island nation off the coast of West Africa has about 525,000 inhabitants and are ranked 70th in the FIFA men's world ranking.
Cape Verde earned a spot at the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in their African qualifying group ahead of Cameroon, one of the continent's top soccer powers.
The country which won independence from Portugal 50 years ago have appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations four times, reaching the quarters in 2013 and 2023.
* PARAGUAY
The South American country had an estimated population of just under one million when they appeared at the inaugural 1930 World Cup.
Paraguay were eliminated in the first round after losing to the United States and defeating Belgium.
The Paraguayans will make their ninth World Cup appearance next year after grabbing the last of South America's six direct qualifying spots.
* TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago won an international playoff to earn their first and only World Cup appearance in 2006 in Germany.
With a population of 1.3 million, it was the smallest country in that tournament by some margin.
Trinidad and Tobago salvaged a draw with Sweden but lost against England and Paraguay to finish last in their group.
* NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland had an estimated 1.4 million inhabitants when they reached the 1958 World Cup.
The team defeated Czechoslovakia, lost to Argentina and drew against Germany in the group stage. They were eliminated by France in the knockout phase.
Northern Ireland also played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
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