Cape Verde stunned the world with perhaps their most significant achievement on the global stage, restricting Spain to a scoreless draw in their tournament opener. Here are five fascinating facts about the third-smallest country (by population) to secure WC qualifications.

Cape Verde stunned the world with perhaps their most significant achievement on the global stage, restricting Spain to a scoreless draw in their tournament opener. Here are five fascinating facts about the third-smallest country (by population) to secure WC qualifications.

FIFA World Cup: 5 footballing facts about Cape Verde, the tiny nation that stunned Spain

The FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered its biggest story so far. Cape Verde held off title-contenders Spain in their maiden tournament game in Atlanta on Monday (Jun 15). Qualifying for the first time at this showpiece event, the third-smallest country (by population) to punch its WC ticket, Cape Verde did enough to secure a scoreless draw against the former world champions in their Group H opener. Even with several A-listers in Spain’s playing XI, they failed to breach Verde’s defence.&nbsp;Spain’s star player Lamine Yamal started on the bench, with the coach and management unwilling to risk him following a cramped season with Barcelona. He, however, made his World Cup debut with an appearance in the 71st minute but failed to guide his team home.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-tunisia-part-ways-with-coach-sabri-lamouchi-after-poor-world-cup-start-1781533165995">FIFA 2026 | Tunisia part ways with coach Sabri Lamouchi after poor World Cup start</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, since winning the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game, and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.&nbsp; &nbsp;Blessed with what coach Luis de la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19. However, the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was underlined by a flat performance. &nbsp;Williams also had an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute. &nbsp;On the other hand, ranked 67 in the world, Cape Verde was making their debut on the global stage and did a nation of just over 500,000 people proud. In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta's state-of-the-art air-conditioned stadium meant there were no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain's build-up. &nbsp;Indeed, the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.&nbsp;<h3>No-show from otherwise showstoppers Spain</h3>It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten. Marc Cucurella, fresh from sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal's looping header over the bar. &nbsp;Torres tested Vozinho again moments later before Aymeric Laporte's header from a corner was also clawed away by the Cape Verde number one just before half-time. &nbsp;The break came at a good time for the Blue Sharks, and they comfortably held out in the second period until Yamal's entrance after the second hydration break. &nbsp;Billed as one of the stars of the tournament, Yamal's appearance instantly lifted the crowd and injected life into the pedestrian Spanish attack. His first involvement set up a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino, which was too close to Vozinha. &nbsp;Yamal also began the move that saw Oyarzabal's effort deflected over, Spain's best chance of the second half. &nbsp;Cape Verde nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simón. &nbsp;Spain's road to victory in 2010 also began disappointingly with a defeat to Switzerland, but they have much to work on ahead of facing Saudi Arabia in Atlanta once more on Sunday. &nbsp;Cape Verde next take on Uruguay in Miami.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has its biggest upset! Cape Verde holds giants Spain to a historic 0-0 draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta. Read the match report.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 delivered its biggest story so far. Cape Verde held off title-contenders Spain in their maiden tournament game in Atlanta on Monday (Jun 15). Qualifying for the first time at this showpiece event, the third-smallest country (by population) to punch its WC ticket, Cape Verde did enough to secure a scoreless draw against the former world champions in their Group H opener. Even with several A-listers in Spain’s playing XI, they failed to breach Verde’s defence. Spain’s star player Lamine Yamal started on the bench, with the coach and management unwilling to risk him following a cramped season with Barcelona. He, however, made his World Cup debut with an appearance in the 71st minute but failed to guide his team home. Also read | FIFA 2026 | Tunisia part ways with coach Sabri Lamouchi after poor World Cup start Meanwhile, since winning the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game, and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022. Blessed with what coach Luis de la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19. However, the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was underlined by a flat performance. Williams also had an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute. On the other hand, ranked 67 in the world, Cape Verde was making their debut on the global stage and did a nation of just over 500,000 people proud. In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta's state-of-the-art air-conditioned stadium meant there were no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain's build-up. Indeed, the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions. No-show from otherwise showstoppers Spain It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten. Marc Cucurella, fresh from sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal's looping header over the bar. Torres tested Vozinho again moments later before Aymeric Laporte's header from a corner was also clawed away by the Cape Verde number one just before half-time. The break came at a good time for the Blue Sharks, and they comfortably held out in the second period until Yamal's entrance after the second hydration break. Billed as one of the stars of the tournament, Yamal's appearance instantly lifted the crowd and injected life into the pedestrian Spanish attack. His first involvement set up a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino, which was too close to Vozinha. Yamal also began the move that saw Oyarzabal's effort deflected over, Spain's best chance of the second half. Cape Verde nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simón. Spain's road to victory in 2010 also began disappointingly with a defeat to Switzerland, but they have much to work on ahead of facing Saudi Arabia in Atlanta once more on Sunday. Cape Verde next take on Uruguay in Miami. (With inputs from AFP)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has its biggest upset! Cape Verde holds giants Spain to a historic 0-0 draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta. Read the match report.

FIFA World Cup Shock: Spain held to 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in Group H

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FIFA World Cup: 5 footballing facts about Cape Verde, the tiny nation that stunned Spain

FIFA World Cup Shock: Spain held to 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in Group H