How Cape Verde can advance: FIFA 2026 World Cup scenarios | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

Everyone loves a Cinderella story. And the 2026 FIFA World Cup has you covered.

Featuring Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira and San Diego FC goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos, Cape Verde are one game away from reaching the knockout stages during their first-ever appearance on the world's biggest stage.

They've provided two of the most shocking results of the tournament thus far, earning a historic 0-0 draw against World Cup favorites Spain before a back-and-forth 2-2 draw with South American powerhouse Uruguay.

Now, the third-smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup can achieve even more history.

Here's what the African nation needs to do to advance to the Round of 32.

How Cape Verde can advance

The Blue Sharks can finish anywhere from first to last in a wide-open Group H, but most importantly, if they win, they're in the knockout stages.

Cape Verde will qualify for the Round of 32 as Group H winners if:

Because Cape Verde and Uruguay are tied on points, the first scenario would come down to who has a superior goal difference.

Cape Verde will qualify for the Round of 32 as Group H runners-up if:

It is also possible for both Cape Verde and Uruguay to earn draws and Cape Verde to move on, but this scenario is based on the third tiebreaker, goals scored. If Cape Verde have MORE goals scored than Uruguay at the conclusion of the group, they would advance.

Group H FIFA World Rankings

The top two teams from each group and the top eight third-place finishers advance to the knockout phase (Round of 32).

World Cup group standings tiebreakers

Cape Verde: World Cup results so far

Can Cape Verde shock the World Cup?