- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,141
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Is Cape Verde in or out of the World Cup? How 3 draws didn't actually impact third-place standings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Cape Verde has captured hearts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without even winning a game so far.
Through three matches, the country also known as Cabo Verde has three draws.
In many years, that wouldn't get a team out of its group.
This year, though, Cape Verde didn't even need to settle for the battle for a third-place spot.
MORE: With Messi, history and magic go hand in hand
Is Cape Verde still alive in the World Cup?
Yep, Cape Verde is still playing for the Round of 32.
Their three draws were enough to earn second place in their group, which is rare to do on just 3 points.
That's because almost every other match in the group was a draw, too.
Spain had two wins, in addition to its draw with Cape Verde.
But Uruguay drew both Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, and the Saudis drew the two teams that weren't Spain, as well.
That left Uruguay and Saudi Arabia both on 2 points in three matches.
It's a rare group outcome, but it was made possible by a lot of draws.
And now, those group standings have Spain on 7 points, Cape Verde on 3 and the other two on 2.
That sends Cape Verde through -- with the matchup set, Argentina.
More FIFA World Cup news:
- USA, England can't actually play on July 4th
- Why Norway brought 600 pounds of salmon to the World Cup
- Eloy Room leads Curacao to astounding World Cup history
- It had to be Mo Salah for Egypt
- Lamine Yamal outdoes Messi, Ronaldo in historic moment for Spanish wunderkind
Continue reading...