Saudi Arabia go face Cape Verde for dia third Group H match of di 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2026, for Houston Stadium on FS1. Dis one be historic first World Cup meeting between di two nations.
Both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia dey very much alive heading into dia final group game. For one of di biggest shocks of di tournament so far, Cape Verde draw Spain 0-0 for dia opener. E follow up dat incredible performance with anoda unlikely 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup champions Uruguay.
Cape Verde be di only one of dis tournament’s four debutants to get two or more points through dia first two games, becoming di first World Cup debutant to get a result for both of dia first two games since 2002.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia open dia World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay before falling to Spain 4-0 for dia second match. Saudi Arabia was outshot by a combined 49-10 for dia first two games, di second-worst margin for di tournament for dat span.
Cabo Verde’s fairytale World Cup debut continue on Friday as e chase a shock place for di round of 32 at di expense of Saudi Arabia. Stunning draws with Spain and Uruguay ensure di African island nation get a genuine shot at reaching di knockout stage, and a victory over Saudi Arabia go confirm dat place.
A draw go be enough if Spain beat Uruguay, or if Cabo Verde rank as one of di eight best third-placed teams. Saudi Arabia know say victory be essential to avoid an early exit after dia opening draw with Uruguay was followed by a thumping loss to Spain, but anything less than maximum points from Friday’s match go see di team eliminated.
Confidence go be sky high inside di Cabo Verde locker room after staggering stalemates against World Cup royalty. For di draw with Spain, e showcase dia defensive organization, but major attacking improvements were made for a lively affair with Uruguay.
Cabo Verde don show dia ability for both boxes and Saudi Arabia go be mightily worried after an unspectacular tournament for itself to date. Di Blue Sharks dey smell blood at NRG stadium, seeking to reach di knockout stage of di World Cup at di first attempt.
Cabo Verde go be without di services of left back Sidney Lopes Cabral, who dey suspended for Friday’s game after picking up two yellow cards. João Paulo should be im replacement. Telmo Arcajo come off injured at halftime against Uruguay and go likely be replaced for di midfield by one of di Duarte brothers, Deroy or Laros. Jovane Cabral still dey injury doubt and fit not feature against Saudi Arabia. If e do, e go likely come on from di bench.
Saudi Arabia know say victory be essential to avoid an early exit after dia opening draw with Uruguay was followed by a thumping loss to Spain, but anything less than maximum points from Friday’s match go see di team eliminated.
After fielding five for defense against Spain, Donis fit turn back to di 4-4-2 formation utilized for di draw with Uruguay. Vice-captain Mohamed Kanno fit return for midfield, with Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat also making a comeback on di right flank. Those changes fit come at di expense of Al Hilal duo Nasser Al Dawsari and Ali Lajami.
Di Green Falcons need a special performance from star forward and captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who be di provider of di famous winner against Argentina for Qatar nearly four years ago.
Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia meet at Houston Stadium on June 26 for di final round of Group H fixtures at di 2026 FIFA World Cup. A point be all di Blue Sharks need to reach di last 32, while Saudi Arabia must win to keep any hope of progression alive.
Cabo Verde don be one of di tournament’s most compelling stories. Di archipelago nation, with a population of roughly 525,000, hold Spain to a goalless draw on matchday one before coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Uruguay on June 21. Two points from two matches against sides of dat calibre be a remarkable return for a team making dia World Cup debut.
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha don be central to everything. Di 40-year-old make seven saves to deny Spain and don become di emotional symbol of dis squad. Coach Bubista don build a disciplined defensive structure wey don prove difficult to break down.
Saudi Arabia arrive for Houston with dia tournament hopes all but extinguished. Georgios Donis’s side draw 1-1 with Uruguay for dia opener but were beaten 4-0 by Spain on June 21, a result wey leave dem propping up di group. Di Green Falcons need a win and results to go dia way to get any realistic chance of progressing.
Salem Al-Dawsari, di two-time Asian Player of di Year, remain di creative fulcrum for Saudi Arabia. Lens right-back Saud Abdulhamid be di only member of di squad wey dey play club football outside di country, while 22-year-old midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr go be tasked with controlling di tempo for di middle of di park.
For Cabo Verde, forward Dailon Livramento finish as joint-top scorer for qualifying with four goals and carry di primary attacking threat. Di question for Bubista be whether e go for di win to guarantee progression or trust im defensive structure to grind out di point wey im side likely need.
