Nigeria's Super Eagles' 1998 World Cup record remains unbroken as Cape Verde, ranked 64th, narrowly missed advancing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles, ranked 74th at the time, were the lowest-ranked team to progress past the group stage in the modern FIFA ranking era.
Cape Verde will face Argentina in the knockout round of the World Cup after finishing second in Group H. The team, making its World Cup debut, secured a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, with key performances from goalkeeper Vozinha and coach Bubista.
Cape Verde secured a historic knockout stage place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia. This achievement marks the first time Cape Verde has reached this stage, joining Ghana as the only African nation to do so on their World Cup debut.
