Flag / Wikipedia

A nation that does not have a population even equal to the smallest or least populated state of the United States and makes its debut in the FIFA World Cup 2026 but ends without either winning or losing any of its three group games. And with three drawn games, it scripts yet another chapter of its soccer history by qualifying for the knockout round of the World Cup.

With about 525,000 residents, Cape Verde has a smaller population than every U.S. state. The least-populated state, Wyoming, has about 576,000 residents. Cape Verde has already surpassed the only other smaller countries by population to have qualified for the men's World Cup. In their only tournament appearances, Curaçao and Iceland both failed to progress from the group stage in 2026 and 2018, respectively.

Cape Verde also became the first World Cup debutant to go unbeaten in all three group-stage matches since Senegal achieved the feat in 2002.

What an amazing feat?

For Cape Verde, it’s amazing run at its first World Cup is still ongoing. Following a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in their final group-stage match on Friday, the island nation off Africa's west coast became the least-populated nation ever to advance to the knockout rounds of the men's World Cup.

By holding pre-tournament favourites Spain to a goalless draw in its first match, the tournament newcomers produced one of the World Cup's biggest upsets. It followed that with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, when it scored its first-ever World Cup goals.

The smallest nation at this World Cup achieved a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, which allowed it to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Spain dashed Uruguay's hopes of advancing from the group stage, while Saudi Arabia also progressed. For a second consecutive World Cup, Uruguay has been condemned to a humiliating group stage exit after losing 1-0 to Spain in its final group  match.

Alex Baena’s effort in the 42nd minute was the difference between the former world champions in the high-stakes game which was watched by more than 45,000 spectators, including Spain’s king, Felipe VI.

In other games, Belgium beat New Zealand 5-1 while Iran played a 1-1 draw with the Egypt. Iran has also drawn all its three games, including a 2-2 draw with New Zealand and goalless draw with Belgium.

For Spain, a match billed before the tournament as a group decider had become a battle for survival. At the start its path in Group H looked pretty easy on paper, however resilient performances by Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia left the group wide open heading into this final round, with debutants Cabo Verde even having a chance to climb to the top of the group.

Following a frustrating goalless draw with Cape Verde in its opener and an emphatic 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, Spain needed at least a point to be sure of advancing to the knockouts. It did with a first half goal win. For Uruguay, on the other hand, a win was non-negotiable, even though a draw could have  been enough. But it was not to be. 

In all games on June 26 , a minute’s silence before kick-off was observed for the victims of the two successive earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.

The night could not have ended any worse for Uruguay as it finished the group stage with just two points - two less than it managed at Qatar 2022, behind debutants Cape Verde who played out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia to book a historic Round of 32 spot by finishing second in the group behind Spain.

Uruguay last reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup in 2018, when they advanced to the quarter-finals in Russia before being eliminated by the eventual champions, France.

For Cape Verde, defending champions Argentina will be its opponent in the round of 32 match in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3.  

This is FIFA World Cup that has over the years shown amazing results, including surprise wins, shocking defeats and amazing draws. The 2026 World Cup is no different. It has already started creating ripples by upsetting the applecart of some of the fancied teams while boosting lesser-known contingents.

In the group matches so far, two teams, Mexico and France, have maintained a clean slate by winning all their three matches. Columbia has a chance to join this group provided it wins its last game against Christiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Colombia and Portugal, with their places in the Round of 32 virtually secured, play their last group game to decide who heads the table. Colombia needs only a draw to finish top of the group unbeaten on seven points. Portugal, by contrast, must win to overtake it and strengthen its own credentials as title contenders.

Discover more at New India Abroad.