🦈 WORLD CUP DEBUT
2026 FIFA World Cup™
Cape Verde World Cup 2026
The Blue Sharks — Africa’s Surprise Package Makes Its Historic World Cup Debut
Cape Verde make their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, capping a stunning qualification campaign that saw them win their CAF group with 7 wins, 2 draws and just 1 loss. Drawn into Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, the Blue Sharks play across Atlanta, Miami, and Houston. Their most winnable fixture is the Matchday 3 clash against Saudi Arabia, while clashes with Spain and Uruguay offer them the chance to shock the world. Star winger Ryan Mendes leads a squad packed with Portuguese league talent and fierce collective spirit under coach Pedro Leitão.
GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
Group H
🇪🇸
Spain
ESP
Matchday 1
VS
Upcoming
🇨🇻
Cape Verde
CPV
June 15, 2026 · Monday
12:00 PM ET (Fox)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
GROUP H
🇺🇾
Uruguay
URU
Matchday 2
VS
Upcoming
🇨🇻
Cape Verde
CPV
June 21, 2026 · Sunday
6:00 PM ET (FS1)
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
GROUP H
🇨🇻
Cape Verde
CPV
Matchday 3
VS
Upcoming
🇸🇦
Saudi Arabia
KSA
June 26, 2026 · Friday
8:00 PM ET (FS1)
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
GROUP H
GROUP H STANDINGS
Pre-Tournament
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
🇪🇸Spain |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2 |
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 |
🇺🇾Uruguay |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
4 |
🇨🇻Cape Verde TBD |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
POTENTIAL KNOCKOUT PATH
If Cape Verde Qualify
Round of 32
vs Group J
runner-up
runner-up
If Cape Verde finish 2nd in Group H
Round of 16
TBD
Based on R32 results
Best 3rd Place
Top 8 third-placed
teams also advance
teams also advance
Alternative route to R32