Cape Verde has reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in its tournament debut.

Before this year, the island nation had never qualified for the World Cup. Yet the Blue Sharks finished second in their group behind Spain and ahead of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, advancing to the Round of 32 with three draws and no defeats.

Valued at just $62 million, Cape Verde entered the tournament as one of the least expensive squads in the field, a fraction of the value of football's traditional powers.

Its campaign began with a stunning 0-0 draw against reigning European champion Spain.

Spain, whose squad is valued at approximately $1.39 billion, was heavily favored. Its players compete in Europe's top leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1, while most of Cape Verde's players ply their trade outside those elite competitions.

But 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, valued at roughly $170,000, delivered one of the performances of the tournament.

Spain dominated possession with more than 70 percent of the ball and unleashed 27 shots, generating enough chances to score at least two goals. Yet Vozinha repeatedly denied La Roja, preserving a famous clean sheet against a squad worth more than 20 times as much.

Cape Verde carried that momentum into its second match against Uruguay, captained by Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.

Valverde alone has a market value more than double that of Cape Verde's entire squad.

The Blue Sharks struck first in the 21st minute when defensive midfielder Kevin Pina curled a powerful free kick into the net from nearly 30 yards out.

Uruguay responded with two goals before halftime to seize a 2-1 lead. But substitute Hélio Varela capitalized on a defensive mistake, beating goalkeeper Fernando Muslera to a loose ball to score a dramatic second-half equalizer and salvage a 2-2 draw.

Once again, Cape Verde had earned a result against one of the tournament favorites.

The final obstacle in the group stage was Saudi Arabia, remembered as one of the surprise teams of the 2022 World Cup after defeating Lionel Messi's eventual champion Argentina.

With a place in the knockout stage on the line, Cape Verde refused to buckle. The match ended in another scoreless draw, eliminating the Green Falcons and securing the Blue Sharks' historic passage to the Round of 32.

Now, Cape Verde faces its toughest challenge yet.

Awaiting the debutants is defending world champion Argentina. Before the tournament, Argentina was ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings, while Cape Verde sat 67th.

On paper, it appears to be a mismatch.

But if the group stage has taught the football world anything, it is this: never bet against the Cape.