Cape Verde Becomes the First Team to Qualify with Three Draws Since Chile

The Cape Verde national team achieved a historic feat in the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first team to advance from the group stage without a single win, securing three draws, for the first time since Chile in the 1998 World Cup.

Cape Verde qualified after drawing in all three of its group stage matches, earning three points that were enough to secure a spot in the round of 32. This was facilitated by the new tournament system, which provides greater opportunities for teams with closely matched results.

With this achievement, the Cape Verde national team ended a 28-year wait, as Chile was the last team in the 1998 World Cup to successfully advance past the group stage after three draws, before being eliminated in the round of 16.

This qualification marks a new historical milestone for football in Cape Verde, as the team demonstrated a competitive spirit and defensive discipline throughout the group stage, securing their place in the knockout rounds and continuing to write one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament so far.