What Happens If Cabo Verde Win, Draw or Lose vs Saudi Arabia? World Cup Knockout Qualification Explained

Matchday 3 of Group H, which consists of Spain, Uruguay, Cabo Verde, and Saudi Arabia, will define which teams will move on to the knockout stages and which teams will be eliminated.

All teams can qualify for the knockout stages, including Cabo Verde, which is playing in its first-ever World Cup.

Cabo Verde played two games in the group, against Spain and Uruguay, and they drew both games. The first game against Spain ended in a 0-0 draw, and the match against Uruguay ended in a 2-2 draw.

Kevin Pina and Helio Varela scored Cabo Verde's first two World Cup goals ever.

Now the result against Saudi Arabia tonight matters as it could mean they either can qualify for the knockout stages in their first World Cup, or they face elimination from the competition.

Results that impact Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia

Cabo Verde is third in Group H and is tied on points with Uruguay, which is higher in the group because it scored three goals over Cabo Verde's two goals.

Group H Before Tonight

• 1- Spain: 4 points (+4 goal difference)
• 2- Uruguay: 2 points (0 goal difference)
• 3- Cabo Verde: 2 points (0 goal difference)
• 4- Saudi Arabia: 1 point (-4 goal difference)

If Cabo Verde defeats Saudi Arabia tonight, the African team will qualify for the knockout stages, regardless of the result of Spain vs Uruguay. Cabo Verde would finish with five points and could top the group if Spain does not win their match.

If Cabo Verde draws with Saudi Arabia, they would finish on three points and could be at risk of missing out on the knockout stages. If they do draw, Cabo Verde will temporarily be among the best 8th-place teams of the tournament over Croatia, South Korea, and Algeria.

If Cabo Verde loses to Saudi Arabia, the African team will be knocked out of the 2026 World Cup.

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This story was originally published June 26, 2026 at 7:54 PM.