Cape Verde Makes History as Smallest Nation to Advance to World Cup Knockout Round

By The Associated Press and Al Jazeera staff and The Associated Press

Published On 27 Jun 202627 Jun 2026

In a stunning upset, Cape Verde have become the smallest country ever to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup, advancing after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday night.

The island nation secured three points from three draws, finishing second in the group behind Spain, which defeated Uruguay to claim the top spot.

Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, has been the backbone of Cape Verde’s campaign. “We are small, but we have big hearts and we are fighters,” he said, recalling his season with Chaves in Portugal’s second division.

Making their debut on football’s biggest stage, Cape Verde first held 2010 champions Spain to a 0‑0 stalemate, then fought back to draw 2‑2 with Uruguay, the inaugural World Cup winners.

Coach Bubista, waving his nation’s flag after the Saudi Arabia match, praised his side’s determination: “We are proud to be here. We may be a small country, but we fight for what we want.”

The Blue Sharks will face defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Drawing all three group matches does not always guarantee progression, but Cape Verde join a select group of teams—Wales (1958), Ireland and the Netherlands (1990), Chile (1998)—that have advanced on three draws.

“Everyone is entitled to dream, and nothing is impossible,” Bubista said before the match.

With a population of just 530,000, Cape Verde’s achievement underscores the power of belief and teamwork.

Vozinha’s heroics continued throughout the game, making crucial saves in stoppage time, the 66th minute, and the 92nd minute to preserve the clean sheet.

“Our national team has quality,” Vozinha said. “Many doubt us, but we’ve shown we can compete at the highest level.”

Fans displayed the goalkeeper’s name painted on their chests, while his mother, Ana Candida Evora, watched from a luxury suite, waving a tiny Cape Verde flag.

Cape Verde created several scoring chances, with Kevin Pina striking over the bar in the 50th minute and Laros Duarte’s effort saved by Saudi keeper Mohammed al‑Owais in the 74th. Nuno da Costa’s late attempt also missed the target.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia finished the group with two points and were eliminated.

Coach Georgios Donis admitted his side struggled to control the game: “We were very poor in creating chances. You cannot win that way.”

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