Rank outsiders Cape Verde turned Houston into a celebration zone after adding yet another historic chapter in their amazing Fifa World Cup story with qualification to the round of 32 on Friday night.
The tiny Atlantic Ocean island nation battled to a barren draw with Saudi Arabia in Group H to secure second spot behind 2010 champions Spain, and an automatic spot in the round of 32.
They became the third African nation to book a place in the knock-out stage of the biggest Fifa World Cup in history, following South Africa, Morocco, and Cote d’Ivoire, who secured passage to the round of 32 earlier in the week.
Afterwards, Cape Verde’s fans took to the streets of Houston with a message for Argentina, whom they face in the next stage.
Cape Verde players celebrate after their Group H Fifa World Cup match against Saudi Arabia at Houston Stadium in Texas on June 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
“Messi, we are coming for you. Argentina, we are coming for you,” the ecstatic Cabo Verdean fans screamed on the streets of Houston soon after the match ended at Houston Stadium, better known in America as NRG Stadium for sponsorship reasons.
Cape Verde has now set up a round of 32 clash against reigning champions Argentina, an opponent many Cabo Verdeans would only dream of facing.
The mastermind of this achievement, coach Pedro Leita Brito “Bubisto”, was calm despite the monumental feat and upcoming historical clash against the three-time world champions and second highest ranked team in the world.
“We are proud to be able to play Argentina. It is a country with which we have long-standing ties. Many Cabo Verdeans have migrated to Argentina. But we will play against them with the attitude and commitment that we have shown against other opponents. Argentina are a world-class team and they have Messi,” he said
"To be able to play Argentina and Messi at a stage like this is excellent for our country,” Bubisto, 56, added.
What a World Cup this is turning out to be for Cape Verde, ranked a distant 64th in the world.
In the Fifa Team Facts book, the only item about the World Cup in Cape Verde is a one-line mention of them qualifying for the tournament for the first time. Two decades ago, they were even below the level of Kenya, but are now regular Afcon contestants and World Cup debutants.
Cape Verde players and staff celebrate after their Group H Fifa World Cup match against Saudi Arabia at Houston Stadium in Texas on June 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
Bubisto, appointed head coach in January 2022, built a team with a rock-solid defence, tactically disciplined and physically robust.
Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup as group leaders ahead of Cameroon on the back of this mean defence that kept 10 clean sheets and did not concede a single goal at home.
Spain, featuring Lamine Yamal, hit this wall in the opening match, failing to break the unfancied islanders in a 0-0 draw on June 15.
Cape Verde then battled to a 2-2 draw with two-time world champions Uruguay, who have been knocked out of the competition, before drawing 0-0 with seven-time participants Saudi Arabia.
That backline has revolved around 40-year-old inspired goalkeeper Vozinha, and the backline of Diney Borges, Roberto Lopes and Wagner Pina. With a population of about 340,000, they became the smallest nation to qualify for the knockouts in the World Cup.
“But we have shown that nothing is impossible. We represent Africa and small countries in the world.
“I said it, that sooner or later we would play at this stage. We qualified for the Afcon and have developed from there, then the World Cup qualifiers, and here we are.”
