2026 World Cup: Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, Probable Lineups

Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia face off at 2 a.m. (Italian time) in a match for the third matchday of Group H of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams still harbor hopes of advancing to the Round of 16, despite yet to secure a win: the islanders, the true revelation of the World Cup, are coming off two draws against Spain and Uruguay, while the Saudis drew with La Celeste and lost to La Furia Roja.

Both teams need a win: Cape Verde, thanks to two sensational draws in the first two matches of its World Cup history, can even dream of topping the group if Spain loses to Uruguay. The Saudis are also very much in the running, and a win would guarantee them qualification as one of the best third-place teams—if not second place in the standings.

The Africans will field Benchimol as center forward, with Mendes and Rodriguez on the wings. In midfield, Duarte partners with Monteiro, while the fullbacks will be Moreira and Paulo.

The Saudis feature center forward Al-Buraikan as the focal point of their attack. Al-Shamat and Al-Dawsari are on the wings, and the fullbacks are Abdulhamid and Al-Harbi.

Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia: Probable Lineups
CAPE VERDE (4-1-4-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, Paulo; Pina; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, Rodrigues; Benchimol.
SAUDI ARABIA (5-4-1): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Al-Tambakti, Lajami, Al-Harbi; Al-Shamat, N Al-Dawsari, Kanno, S Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan.