HOUSTON — Saudi Arabia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to an end after a goalless draw with Cape Verde on Saturday, a result that sent the tournament debutants into the round of 32 alongside European champions Spain from Group H.
The Green Falcons needed victory to keep their hopes of advancing alive but were unable to find the breakthrough despite a determined display in Houston.
In a match played exactly one month after Greek coach Georgios Donis took charge of the national team, replacing Hervé Renard shortly before the tournament, Saudi Arabia showed significant improvement from its heavy 4-0 defeat to Spain in the previous round.
Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais produced a crucial late save to deny Cape Verde from close range, preserving the clean sheet, but the Green Falcons lacked the finishing touch at the other end.
Saudi Arabia finished the group stage with two points after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay before suffering a defeat to Spain and settling for a scoreless draw against Cape Verde.
The result also marked a historic milestone for Cape Verde, which secured qualification for the knockout stage in its first-ever World Cup appearance.
Saudi Arabia has now exited the World Cup in the group stage in every appearance except its tournament debut in 1994 in the United States, when it reached the round of 16.
Source: Saudi Gazette