27/06/2026 10:12 - Deportes
Cape Verde wrote one of the most emotional pages in its sporting history by qualifying for the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup for the first time. The goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, combined with Uruguay's 1-0 defeat by Spain, allowed the "Blue Sharks" to advance in their absolute debut at a World Cup.
The city of Praia, the capital of this archipelago located off the coast of Senegal, exploded in celebrations that lasted until dawn. Horns, fireworks, and chants filled the streets of a nation of just over 600,000 inhabitants passionate about their team.
| Team | Pts | GP | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 4 | 2 | +3 |
| Cape Verde | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Uruguay | 2 | 2 | -1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 0 | 2 | -2 |
Note: Spain leads the group after beating Uruguay. Cape Verde qualifies in second place with draws against both South American opponents.
Cape Verde will face the Argentine national team on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 19:00 (Argentina time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, for the Round of 16 of the World Cup.
This will be the first official match between the two teams. Argentina arrives as the leader of Group J with 6 points and a +5 goal difference, while Cape Verde advanced as runner-up of Group H with 2 points.
Lionel Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, is the main attraction for Cape Verdean fans, who dream of seeing the legend in action.
During almost the entire match, tension dominated the thousands of fans who followed the game in bars and fan zones in the capital. However, when the final whistle blew, the city erupted in an unforgettable celebration.
"Qualifying for the next round of the World Cup and facing Argentina is extraordinary. Playing against Messi, win or lose, will be a huge moment for this small country."
"We weren't intimidated by Spain, we stood up to Uruguay, and I'm convinced we'll face Argentina with dignity. I want to see Messi try to get past our goalkeeper."
"Our team plays with love for their country and total commitment. Reaching the Round of 16 is a beautiful reward for a team without big stars."
Cape Verde is an island country located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 570 kilometers off the western coast of Africa. With just over 600,000 inhabitants, it is one of the smallest countries on the African continent.
Their national team, known as the "Blue Sharks" or "Cretches", participated for the first time in a World Cup in this 2026 edition. Their best international precedent was reaching the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023.
The president of the Cape Verde Football Federation, Mario Semedo, had stated before the tournament that the main objective was to get past the first round, a goal that has finally become a reality.
Spain and Cape Verde will define the top spot in the group on the final matchday. If Spain wins or draws, they finish first; if Cape Verde wins, they could overtake the Europeans. Uruguay needs a combination of results to qualify.
The Uruguayan team, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing 1-0 to Spain. The goal by Álex Baena in the 41st minute of the first half, resulting from a mistake by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, sealed the 'Celeste' elimination.
This is Uruguay's second consecutive elimination in the group stage under the direction of the 'Loco' Bielsa, following the failure in Qatar 2022.
Source: TN.com.ar
Alfredo S. Quiroga
