Cape Verde qualifies for knockout stage after surprising World Cup run
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 29, 2026, 5:26 AM
Last updated Jun 29, 2026
Cape Verde shocked expectations by qualifying for the knockout rounds of the World Cup after a draw with Saudi Arabia and securing points against Uruguay and Spain. Gianni Infantino's expansion of the tournament to 48 teams has allowed underdog stories to emerge despite a lack of jeopardy for major nations. Some teams, like DR Congo, and players, such as Haiti's Wilson Isidor, also made headlines. The tournament features a record number of goals, but questions remain about the overall competitiveness of the new format as well as performance disparities among teams.
- •Cape Verde finished second in their group with three points.
- •They drew 2-2 with Uruguay and managed a point against Spain.
- •DR Congo's draw against Portugal positioned them among the best third-placed teams.
- •Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify, secured a point against Ecuador but did not advance.
- •Nine out of ten African teams reached the last 32.
- 5:26 AMYahoo Sports — Great stories, little jeopardy - does the new World Cup format work?
- 5:26 AMBBC Sport — Great stories, little jeopardy - does the new World Cup format work?
"New format, new teams and fascinating storylines. But did the new World Cup group stage really work?
"New format, new teams and fascinating storylines. But did the new World Cup group stage really work?
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 29, 2026, 5:26 AMGreat stories, little jeopardy - does the new World Cup format work?
New format, new teams and fascinating storylines. But did the new World Cup group stage really work?
- BBC SportJun 29, 2026, 5:26 AMGreat stories, little jeopardy - does the new World Cup format work?
New format, new teams and fascinating storylines. But did the new World Cup group stage really work?
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- MLS•Jun 29, 2026, 4:08 AMLen Weiner Retiring After Helping Shape Sports Radio for More Than Four Decades
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 29, 2026, 1:23 AMCape Verde Captain Ryan Mendes Under Police Investigation During World Cup Run
- MLS•Jun 29, 2026, 12:09 AMArgentina thrilled with perfect group stage but knows 'World Cup is long'
- FIFA World Cup•Jun 29, 2026, 12:08 AMWorld Cup Pop Culture Moments From The Past Week You Need To Know
- EPL•Jun 29, 2026, 12:00 AMChad Johnson wears surprising retro Premier League jersey to meet Cristiano Ronaldo at World Cup
- MLS•Jun 28, 2026, 11:55 PMSwanson: World Cup shows MLS still needs to achieve major goals to grow the game
