FIFA World Cup 2026: ‘Nothing is impossible for us’ Cape Verde coach

Updated On: 28 June, 2026 09:14 AM IST | Houston | Agencies

Cape Verde becomes smallest country to enter knockouts after 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia; coach Bubista says they are a tiny nation, but fight hard for what they want

Listen to this article :

Cape Verde players are ecstatic after reaching the round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup following a draw vs Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday. Pic/AFP

FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde will face reigning champions Argentina in the knockout rounds after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday to extend their fairytale journey. The stalemate in Houston and Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay meant the team ranked 67th in the world finished runners-up behind Spain in Group ‘H.’

Having drawn all three group matches, the archipelago nation of 525,000 inhabitants will play Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Miami on July 3 in another chapter to their remarkable story. The players of Cape Verde — the smallest team in World Cup history to qualify for the knockouts — were in tears afterwards, as were some of their fans.