Qualification without a single win! Cape Verde pull off a feat not seen since 1998 at the World Cup

The Blue Sharks have qualified for the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, achieving a rare feat in the competition.

Cape Verde have taken everyone by surprise at the World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In their first-ever appearance, the Cape Verdean side have pulled off a remarkable feat by qualifying for the round of 32.

But what is most remarkable is that Cape Verde did not win any of their three matches in Group H. They secured a draw against Spain (0–0), and drew against Uruguay (2–2) and Saudi Arabia (0–0).

Despite these three draws in the group stage, Cape Verde reached the round of 32 and became the first team to progress beyond the first round without winning a single match since Chile at the 1998 World Cup.