Saudi Arabia's World Cup 2026 campaign ended in disappointment as they were held to a goalless draw by Cabo Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday, marking their third consecutive group-stage exit. The result means Cabo Verde, with three points from three matches, become the smallest nation ever to reach the second phase of a World Cup, finishing second in Group H behind Spain. Saudi Arabia, with two points, and Uruguay, also on two points, were eliminated after Uruguay lost 1-0 to Spain, who topped the group with seven points.
Saudi Arabia's Group Stage Exit
Saudi Arabia failed to advance for a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, a streak dating back to their debut in 1994 when they reached the last 16. The draw with Cabo Verde saw few clear chances. Cape Verde's Nuno da Costa was a constant threat, forcing a save from goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais in the first half and later missing narrowly wide from a tight angle. In second-half stoppage time, da Costa missed another opportunity, though the offside flag was raised. Saudi Arabia's best chance came from Mohamed Kanno's header in first-half stoppage time, easily saved by Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
Cape Verde put their first effort on target three minutes into the second half through Jamiro Monteiro, but it was a tame effort. Saudi Arabia improved after a double substitution, with Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat forcing Vozinha into an awkward stop in the 67th minute. However, they could not find a breakthrough, and Cabo Verde held on for a historic qualification.
Egypt Advances with Draw Against Iran
Egypt became the second Arab team after Morocco to secure a place in the Round of 32, drawing 1-1 with Iran at Seattle Stadium. Egypt took an early lead through Mahmoud Saber in the fifth minute, but Ramin Rezaeian equalized from a tight angle in the 14th minute. Iran's Mehdi Taremi had a penalty saved in the first half and later hit the crossbar with a header. Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored a dramatic winner in the 93rd minute, but it was ruled out for offside. The draw left Egypt second in their group with five points, behind Belgium on goal difference. Iran finished third with three points and must wait to see if they advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Senegal Crushes 10-Man Iraq
Senegal kept their knockout hopes alive with a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, who were eliminated from the tournament. Iraq needed a win to stay in contention but were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when defender Rebin Sulaka was sent off for a foul on Sadio Mane after a VAR review. Senegal took an early lead through a deflected goal by Habib Diarra but failed to capitalize before halftime. In the second half, Ismaila Sarr scored his fourth career World Cup goal, becoming Senegal's all-time leading scorer at the tournament, as Senegal ran riot. Zidane Iqbal showed skill to keep possession for Iraq, but Camara dispossessed him and set up Sarr for a sliding finish. Iraq, making their second World Cup appearance and first in 40 years, finished without a point.
"It was an amazing experience, but I want to apologize to our fans, to our nation," said defender Merchas Doski. "These three games, we didn't learn from our mistakes." Iraq coach Graham Arnold criticized Sulaka's early red card, calling it "stupid" and noting that playing against a top side like Senegal with 10 men for most of the game made an already difficult task nearly impossible. "With 11 men, it would have been hard enough as it was, let alone having 10 men for that long," Arnold said.
