PRAIA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Cabo Verde's postal company and football federation on Monday launched a set of commemorative stamps to mark the country's first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

The stamps, issued in the capital Praia by Correios de Cabo Verde (CCV) in partnership with the Cabo Verdean Football Federation (FCF), come as the island nation prepares for its debut at the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Displayed at the launch ceremony, the commemorative items include two stamps with denominations of 40 and 60 Cabo Verdean escudos (0.42 and 0.63 U.S. dollars), as well as a 200-escudo souvenir sheet. The designs feature footballers in blue jerseys, a football, the national team emblem and a shark motif referring to the team's nickname, the "Blue Sharks," while yellow star-shaped elements echo the visual symbols of Cabo Verde's national flag.

According to CCV, the 40-escudo and 60-escudo stamps are intended for domestic and international mail, respectively.

FCF president Mario Semedo said that the country's World Cup qualification represents not only a "footballing breakthrough", but also "a shared dream" of the islands.

In October 2025, Cabo Verde defeated Eswatini 3-0 in the African qualifiers to secure its first World Cup berth. ■