Debutants Cape Verde produced one of the biggest 2026 World Cup shocks of recent times by holding Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta.
The third-smallest country in terms of population to qualify for a World Cup, Cape Verde were 67th in Fifa’s latest rankings and many expected them to be swept aside by second-ranked Spain in their opening Group H contest.
But what does their recent success mean for the small island off the coast of West Africa?
00:00 – Intro
00:38 – The nation that shocked the world
01:23 – Quickfire questions about Cape Verde
02:15 – How did they shock Spain?
03:39 – The tactics behind the upset
06:08 – What could this mean for Cape Verde?
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#WorldCup #CapeVerde #BBCNews
0-0 and anti-football is nothing to applaude.
CORRECTION: Curacao is smaller by land mass and is currently competing in the World Cup
Congratulations cabo verde
Why did you guys shrink the map of moRRRRRROCCO
Cabo Verde is no joke when it comes to football check their stats for the past decade. Also no nation is tiny, the heart is the bit of any nation
Nice bit of Irish luck with Pico in the team….'go on ya good thing ' . Well done Cape Verde …good man Pico .
come on people. we all know its riggerd. the bookmakers made off like bandits on this one.
Time for change… For get about the giants..Skills makes difference..
🇵🇬PNG
cabo verdeans are portuguese too
"Die WElt schockierte…" So ein Quatsch… ich liege jetzt noch fassungslos im Schock-Koma😅😅😅
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JESUS LOVES YOU. LOVE HIM TOO GUYS. THANKS.
You know, as a Spaniard I was embarrased about our game, but seeing their happiness makes it worth it, honestly. Well done, Cape Vert! Enjoy it, you deserve it
Football LOVERS 👍🏻👍🏻 from meghalaya shillong.
Joshimar Dias also known as Vozinha…is a World Hero….he taught us life's lessons…
I think many unknown countries should get chances to play FIFA World Cup because there are many unsung heroes in the world….
Cape Verde actually appreciates the opportunity to play in the world cup and makes a good performance out of it. Unlike my country that just says, "there's always next cup." 😒
We are a small country made up of 10 island but we live together and when its about united , we fight together to defend and protect our country. We are just one and we celebrate everything together❤❤❤❤❤ thank to Vozinha, our coach Bubista and of course to the whole team that fought together ❤❤❤❤
Vozinha, our Eagle from Cape Verde, that came to show us that Africans are only recognized when they strive and fight tirelessly.
It's GOD
GOD time is the best, no matter the age your stars must shine ✨️ great goalkeeper 👏 👍 💪💪🍾🍾🍾🍾✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️🎉🎊
Luck factors into the equation when blood, sweat & perseverance are absent; that's not the case with CapeVerde, I would say Spain were extremely lucky they didn't get their a§ handed back to them on a silver platter & the reporter, OllyFoster, apparently has his facts a little twisted; AtlanticCity not Atlanta is known as a mecca for gambling … I'd say MrFoster's extremely lucky to have a job with the BBC considering …
Honestly, I will also definitely give credit to him as the goalkeeper was really sensational. however, nobody realized that he was also lucky not to concede the goal during first half. The Spain striker actually hit the crossbar and that could have been 1-0. Now imagine if it's already 1-0 in half time. I'm sure the Cape Verde players will leave much open to the field and Spain might score 3 to 4 goals in the end. One proof. Curacao also held the German 1-1 until they concede a penalty and the German take the advantage to make it 2-1 during HT. Then second half the team collapse upside down. So what happened if Spain already score 1-0 during half time? Well you can analyse yourself.
Nice achievement for Cape Verde. Job well done. Just a small correction. Curacao is the smallest nation (by land mass and by population) to ever compete in the World Cup. @curacaotourism
@BBCNews
They will get hero’s welcome
Finland won hockey world championship in 1995 during the economic depression and that is being thought as a turning point when we found our mational pride and started recovering. I really hope this has a similar effect on Cabo Verde as a nation. I’m alresdy googling for holidays therr ❤
Luis Gabelo Conejo is the greatest goalkeeper I have seen in a world cup … ❤
Cape Verde my beautiful home and beautiful people. ❤❤🙏🇨🇻🇨🇻
VOZINHA’S Song 🎵👉🏽 https://youtu.be/I6L0AGcfaCM?si=Ph8V64OcdA1b8JEQ
So prpud of the Caoe Verde team !!!!
The 40-year-old goalkeeper who stopped Spain? 🧤🔥
https://youtu.be/9J6dCr6XPVg
Cape Verdeans are incredibly resilient, amazing people! 🇨🇻 we are so proud ❤
Lower in western eyes, not Jesus. Western weapon to undermine others
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cabo verde 💖
Wow❤❤❤,what ever the odds, whatever the results, I will support Cape Verde ❤️❤️❤️🫡🫡🫡 rooting for Cape Verde fan from the Phillipines ❤️❤️🫡
great coverage and very informative journalism! well done
Leicester City is living proof. That underdogs can take the title. Its not always about team stats. But the passion they share together.
Come on
This did not age well😮
Bob Marley said Africa shall rise and it's true
I never knew or heard about this country before. Now I know that there is a tiny island nation on the west African continent.
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 6:52 looks like they have a foot hold👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥳🥳🥳
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And we gonna shock you more Insha’Allah.
CABO VERDE NO BAI!!! 🇨🇻🦈💪🏽👊🏽
Keep it up 👍
I’m calling it. If Cape Verde beats Saudi Arabia tonight, then they’re going all the way!
Nani, Nuno Mendes, and Cristiano Ronaldo have cape verdean roots
Land of Cesaria Evora.. She is known as the mother of African music.