2026 World Cup: Cape Verde Makes History, Spain Stuns Uruguay. Belgium and Egypt Also Qualify; Iran Must Wait

Overnight from Friday to Saturday, the results from Groups H and G were announced in chronological order. Group H saw Spain and, incredibly, Cape Verde advance, while Uruguay suffered a sporting tragedy with its second elimination after the group stage. Saudi Arabia is also out. In the other group, Belgium and Egypt advanced, with Iran finishing third and still waiting for the results from the other groups to see if it will qualify as one of the best third-place teams. New Zealand, on the other hand, was eliminated without a doubt.

The most anticipated match of the night was undoubtedly the one between Spain and Uruguay: in Zapopan, Mexico, La Roja didn’t have to go all out to get the better of the extremely nervous players led by an equally agitated Marcelo Bielsa, with Alex Baena’s goal (aided by a glaring blunder by Muslera) deciding the match. La Celeste also finished the match with ten men: in the 95th minute, Canobbio was sent off for a hammering tackle on Cubarsí.

Cape Verde, on the other hand, made history in the other Group H match, played simultaneously in Houston: against Saudi Arabia, a 0-0 draw was enough to finish the group stage in second place with three points, the result of three draws. This result makes the national team of the small African archipelago the first team to advance from the group stage without a win since 1998 (Chile achieved that feat on that occasion). Final standings: Spain 7, Cape Verde 3, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia 2.

Group G, meanwhile, was won by Belgium, which—after lackluster performances against Egypt and Iran—crushed New Zealand with a decisive 5-1 victory: After ending the first half with a one-goal lead, thanks to a goal by Trossard in the 28th minute, the Red Devils ran riot in the second half, scoring again through Trossard in the 50th minute, De Bruyne in the 66th minute, Lukaku in the 86th, and Saelemekers in the 94th. In between, in the 84th minute, Just scored a consolation goal.

Finally, Egypt advanced thanks to the Pharaohs’ 1-1 draw against Iran: After taking the lead through Saber in the 5th minute, the Egyptians had a close call in the 11th minute (a missed penalty by Taremi), before conceding the equalizer in the 14th minute, with Rezaeian scoring for Team Melli. Khalizadeh’s goal that would have secured qualification was disallowed in the 93rd minute for offside: Egypt advances, while Iran must wait. Final standings: Belgium and Egypt 5 (De Bruyne and his teammates finish first on goal difference), Iran 3, New Zealand 1.

Here are the Round of 16 matchups officially announced so far:

– Germany vs. Paraguay (June 29, Foxborough);
– France vs. Sweden (June 30, East Rutherford);
– South Africa vs. Canada (June 28, Inglewood);
– Netherlands vs. Morocco (June 29, Guadalupe);
– Second-place team from Group K vs. second-place team from Group L (July 2, Toronto);
– Spain vs. second-place team from Group J (July 2, Inglewood);
– United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 1, Santa Clara);
– Belgium vs. third-place team from Group A/I/J (July 1, Seattle);
– Brazil vs. Japan (June 29, Houston);
– Ivory Coast vs. Norway (June 30, Arlington);
– Mexico vs. third-place team from Group C/E (June 30, Mexico City);
– first-place team from Group L vs. third-place team from Group I/J/K (July 1, Atlanta);
– Argentina vs. Cape Verde (July 3, Miami Gardens);
– Australia vs. Egypt (July 3, Arlington);
– Switzerland vs. third-place team from Group G/J (July 2, Vancouver);
– first-place team from Group K vs. third-place team from Group E/I/L (July 3, Kansas City).