Cape VerdevsSaudi Arabia

This match is one of the 72 group-stage fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pitting two of the four teams in Group H against each other. Every group plays six matches over roughly two weeks, with the top two finishers in each of the 12 groups advancing directly to the Round of 32 — where the knockout bracket begins. The eight best third-placed teams across all groups also progress, so even a third-place finish can be enough to keep a campaign alive.

Cape Verde are one of the smallest nations ever to compete at a FIFA World Cup, with a population of just over 500,000. Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest World Cup upsets in history when they defeated Argentina 2-1 in the opening match of the 2022 tournament, a result that sent shockwaves through the football world.

Cape Verde: Cape Verde have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia have appeared at six World Cups: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022.

The match is scheduled at Seattle Stadium in Seattle, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, June 26, 2026 at 10:00 PM (18:00 ET).