Cabo Verde have made history by qualifying for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in their debut appearance at the tournament.

The African nation finished second in Group H without losing a single match, securing a place in the Round of 32 behind group winners Spain, who topped the standings with seven points.

Cabo Verde booked their historic qualification after holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in their final group-stage match on Saturday. The result added another point to their tally after earlier draws against Spain and Uruguay, allowing them to progress as unbeaten group runners-up.

In the other Group H fixture, Spain edged two-time world champions Uruguay 1-0, eliminating the South American side from the tournament at the group stage.

Among the four nations making their FIFA World Cup debut this year, Cabo Verde are the only team to reach the knockout rounds. The other debutants Curaçao, Uzbekistan, and Jordan were all eliminated during the group stage.

Cabo Verde will now face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 as they look to continue their remarkable fairytale run in their first-ever FIFA World Cup campaign.