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Cape Verde, a nation of about 525,000 people, has scripted one of the most remarkable stories of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by advancing to the Round of 32 in its tournament debut without recording either a win or a loss in the group stage.
The island nation drew all three of its Group H matches to secure a place in the knockout rounds, becoming the smallest country by population ever to advance beyond the group stage of the men’s FIFA World Cup.
Cape Verde’s population is smaller than that of every U.S. state. Wyoming, the least-populated state, has approximately 576,000 residents. The African nation has now surpassed the achievements of other smaller nations by population to qualify for the men’s World Cup.
Curaçao exited in the group stage during its only appearance in 2026, while Iceland failed to progress beyond the group phase in its lone tournament appearance in 2018.
Cape Verde also became the first World Cup debutant to remain unbeaten in all three group-stage matches since Senegal accomplished the feat in 2002.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has continued its tradition of producing surprises, dramatic results, and unexpected storylines. Several traditional powers have faced stiff competition from emerging football nations, adding further intrigue to the tournament.
Among the teams that completed the group stage with perfect records, Mexico and France won all three of their matches. Colombia also had the opportunity to finish with nine points, pending its final Group F match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Colombia and Portugal entered their final group match with places in the Round of 32 virtually secured. Colombia required only a draw to finish atop the group with seven points, while Portugal needed a victory to leapfrog Colombia and claim first place.
Cape Verde’s historic campaign continued Friday with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, a result that secured second place in Group H and a berth in the knockout stage.
The tournament newcomers had already produced one of the competition’s biggest surprises by holding pre-tournament favorite Spain to a scoreless draw in their opening match. They followed that performance with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, scoring their first-ever FIFA World Cup goals before sealing qualification with another goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.
Spain secured the top spot in the group by defeating Uruguay 1-0, ending the South American side’s hopes of advancing. Saudi Arabia also progressed to the Round of 32, while Uruguay suffered its second consecutive group-stage elimination at the World Cup.
Alex Baena scored the decisive goal in the 42nd minute as Spain secured victory before a crowd of more than 45,000 spectators, including Spain’s King Felipe VI.
Elsewhere on Friday, Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1, while Iran and Egypt played to a 1-1 draw. Iran also completed the group stage without a victory or defeat after drawing all three of its matches, including a 2-2 draw with New Zealand and a scoreless draw against Belgium.
For Spain, a group that initially appeared straightforward became increasingly competitive after resilient performances by Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia kept qualification scenarios open heading into the final round of matches.
Following a frustrating scoreless draw against Cape Verde in its opening game and an emphatic 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, Spain needed at least a point against Uruguay to guarantee progression. The former world champions achieved more than that with a first-half winner. Uruguay, meanwhile, entered the match needing a victory to maximize its chances of advancing, but ultimately fell short.
Before kick-off in all Friday matches, players and spectators observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the two successive earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.
Uruguay finished the group stage with just two points, two fewer than it managed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and behind tournament debutant Cape Verde, whose draw against Saudi Arabia secured a historic second-place finish behind Spain.
Uruguay last reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup in 2018, advancing to the quarterfinals in Russia before being eliminated by eventual champion France. Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey will continue in the Round of 32, where it will face defending champion Argentina in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3.
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