Cape Verde have written one of the greatest underdog stories in FIFA World Cup history, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Atlantic island nation secured a place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston, finishing second in Group H behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay.
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With a population estimated between 525,000 and 611,000, Cape Verde became the smallest country by population to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. They are also the first tournament debutants to advance beyond the group stage since Slovakia and Paraguay did so in 2010.
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