Key Takeaways
Cape Verde’s final qualifier against Eswatini is pivotal. Its World Cup fate now rests on that match. Behind the scenes, the financing structures of national teams and FIFA’s revenue model play significant roles in making global football possible.
Timeline & Setting
- The decisive match is scheduled on Monday, 13 October 2025, at 16:00 UTC (which is 18:00 in the Netherlands) — 15:00 local time in Praia.
- Venue: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde, Praia, Cape Verde.
- This must-win match follows a 3–3 draw versus Libya in Tripoli. Cape Verde leads CAF (Confederation of African Football) Group D and needs three points to clinch direct qualification.
(From Reuters coverage and FIFA official schedule)
Qualification Mechanics
- Group D members: Cape Verde, Cameroon, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, Mauritius.
- Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup.
- The four best runners-up enter a CAF play-off; its winner may enter the inter-confederation play-offs for a final slot.
- Because of the Libya draw, Cape Verde cannot afford to lose.
Funding the Journey
- National teams’ costs include travel, lodging, camps, staff, and security.
- Funding typically comes from:
- FIFA via participation grants and logistical support
- Government allocations for camps and bonuses
- Federation budgets and sponsorship deals
- Smaller nations rely heavily on federation-government partnerships to bridge budget gaps.
FIFA’s Revenue Architecture
- Although FIFA is a nonprofit, it raises substantial revenue via:
- Broadcasting rights (largest share)
- Marketing, licensing, and sponsorship deals
- Ticketing and hospitality
- Digital and commercial streams
- In the 2019–2022 cycle, FIFA reported USD 7.57 billion in revenue.
- Verified YouTube video: How FIFA Makes Money From The World Cup
Pronunciations
- Cabo Verde (Spanish): /ˈka.bo ˈber.ðe/
- Cabo Verde (English/Portuguese): /ˈkeɪ.boʊ ˈvɛr.di/
- Eswatini: /es.wa.ˈti.ni/
Geographic Note
Eswatini is a landlocked nation in southern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique.
Hosts of the 2026 Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Sources
- https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/cape-verde-close-world-cup-qualification-must-wait-2025-10-08/ — Reuters article on Libya draw and stakes vs Eswatini
- https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/cape-verde-v-eswatini-fifa-world-cup-26tm-caf-qualifiers-2025/b818a6c3-bbc3-49a2-8ac6-1e5c7d71be13 — official FIFA match schedule and venue
- https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/687220/eswatini-cape-verde-islands — ESPN fixture listing
- https://inside.fifa.com/official-documents/annual-report/2024/financials/2024-financial-statements/notes/1-revenue-from-television-broadcasting-rights — FIFA on broadcast revenue
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-zL70nOCg — YouTube video on FIFA revenue model
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 