Getty A Cape Verde player warms up before a match. Cape Verde forged an unlikely path to this year’s World Cup, earning the nation’s first-ever bid despite being one of the smallest and most remote nations ever to enter the tournament. Cape Verde kicks off its World Cup journey on Monday against Spain, looking to pull off what would be a monumental upset. But just reaching the World Cup has been a fairytale journey for the island nation. Cape Verde is Among the Smallest World Cup Nations Ever