Day: June 27, 2026

Cape Verde becomes the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockouts.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde becomes the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockouts

Cape Verde’s amazing run at their first World Cup is still ongoing. Following a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in its group stage on Friday, the island nation off Africa’s west coast became the least-populated nation ever to advance to the knockout rounds of a men’s World Cup.

By holding pre-tournament favorite Spain to a goalless draw in their first match, the tournament newcomers surprised one of the World Cup’s biggest upsets. They followed that with a 2-2 tie with Uruguay, when they scored their first World Cup goals ever.

Saturday’s loss to Spain dashed Uruguay’s hopes of moving on to the group stage along with Saudi Arabia.

For Cape Verde, defending champions Argentina await in a Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3, and the obstacles will only grow more difficult.

With about 525,000 residents, Cape Verde boasts less than every U.S. state. The least populated state, Wyoming, boasts about 576,000 citizens.

Cape Verde has already surpassed the only other smaller countries in population to have qualified for the men’s World Cup.

In their only tournament participation, Curaçao and Iceland both failed in the group stage in 2026 and 2018, respectively.

They also hold the first World Cup debutant record of going unbeaten in all three group-stage games since Senegal accomplished it in 2002.

Senegal thrash 10-man Iraq to keep their knockout hopes alive
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal thrash 10-man Iraq to keep their knockout hopes alive

Senegal can still hope to make the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup after thrashing Iraq 5-0. This victory raises their chances of being among the top third-placed teams.

Pape Thiaw and his team found the work difficult. They had to win by at least two goals, and against Iraq, they did exactly that. A victory like this maintains their contention for a berth in the following round.

Knowing what was on the line, the Lions opened strong with a score in under four minutes. Habib Diarra open the scoring as the strain on the Iraqi defense grew, which caused Ruben Sulaka to get a red card in the 13th minute for a foul on Sadio Mané. Sulaka was dismissed as the last defender for robbing Mané a clear shot at goal.

One player advantage was expected to help Senegal to dominate. But they struggled to connect and lacked accuracy, trailing by one goal at halftime.

Senegal scored rapidly in the second half once more. Following superb play from Lamine Camara, Ismaila Sarr doubled the lead in the 56th minute. Just a minute later, coach Pape Thiaw made three substitutions, bringing in Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Pape Gueye.

These adjustments worked. In the 59th and 71st minutes, Pape Gueye scored two goals; Iliman Ndiaye added a fifth one in the 82nd minute. The Lions had a great evening, their eyes now on the remaining games of matchday 3.

Senegal has currently made it to the 2026 World Cup’s round of 32. They are among the top third-placed teams with 3 points and a +2 goal difference. To learn their ultimate ranking, they will have to wait for matchday 3 to end.

Half the work has been completed by Pape Thiaw and his colleagues. With 8 goals total, their offensive might can come in handy should they tie another team trying to get to the round of 32.