Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia meet in the 2026 World Cup on Saturday at 1am (UK time), with both sides hoping for a chance to qualify for the knockout stages.
Cape Verde have been one of the stories of the tournament so far and will fancy their chances of a shock knockout stage place. The African nation have drawn both of their matches so far and sit third after two games. They opened the tournament with a goalless draw against Spain, winning the hearts of many. Cape Verde then held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw, first taking the lead before coming back from a goal down. If Cape Verde beat Saudi Arabia, they’ll guarantee a spot in the knockout stages, whether as group runners-up or one of the best third-placed teams. A draw would also be enough if Spain beat Uruguay.
Saudi Arabia come into the final round of fixtures bottom of the table, with one point from their opening two games. That point came in their World Cup opener, a 1-1 draw against Uruguay in which Saudi Arabia were 10 minutes away from victory. But Spain proved to be too much for Saudi Arabia, who succumbed to a 4-0 defeat in their next game. Saudi Arabia need to win and hope Uruguay don’t beat Spain to finish second in the group. But victory alone should be enough to seal safe passage as one of the best third-placed sides.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
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Cape Verde team news
Cape Verde team news
The big news for Cape Verde is that Sidny Lopes Cabral will miss this game through suspension, for an accumulation of yellow cards. Stopira has experienced playing on the left and will likely come into replace him in an otherwise unchanged defence. Diney Borges will be playing with a risk of suspension himself, so will want to be careful in his tackles.
There are also doubts surrounding the availabilities of Telmo Arcanjo, Kevin Pina and Jamiro Monteiro. All three had to come off against Uruguay, with injuries cited. Arcanjo was replaced by Deroy Duarte, who could start here — having initially lost his place in the lineup to Arcanjo. Kevin Pina and Jamiro Monteiro appear to have shaken off their worries, so should start in the midfield.
Jovane Cabral faces a late fitness test having suffered an injury in Cape Verde’s opening draw with Spain. He was replaced by Garry Rodrigues on the left-wing, and may remain on the bench as a precaution. Rodrigues is expected to be joined in the front line by captain Ryan Mendes and Gilson Benchimol.
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Saudi Arabia team news
Georgios Donis is likely to return to a back four for this game, having utilised a five-man defence againts Spain last time out. Ali Lajami is expected to miss out from the defence, with Hassan Tambakti and Abdulelah Al-Amri the favourite centre-back pairing. Moteb Al-Harbi and Saud Abdulhamid should continue at left-back and right-back, respectively.
With the extra man, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat might return to the attack on the right, having started their against Uruguay. It would allow Musab Al-Juwayr to play in the No.10, with Salem Al-Dawsari on the left. Firas Al-Buraikan appears to be undroppable as the striker, though Abdullah Al-Hamdan will hope for a chance.
The double pivot may also revert to its original form. Nasser Al-Dawsari started alongside Abdullah Al-Khaibari in he midfield last time out. But Saudi Arabia looked a lot more secure in the first game when Al-Khaibari was joined by Mohamed Kanno, who could return to the lineup.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia predicted lineups
Cape Verde (4-3-3): Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Stopira; D Duarte, K Pina, Monteiro; Mendes, Benchimol, Rodrigues.
Saudi Arabia (4-2-3-1): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Al-Amri, Al-Harbi; Kanno, Al-Khaibari; Abu Al-Shamat, Al-Juwayr, S Al-Dawsari; Al-Buraikan.
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