Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Cape Verde to qualify for knockout phase
Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia face off in a crucial Group H match at the World Cup 2026 with Round of 32 qualification on the line. Cape Verde, unbeaten in their first two games, are favored after showing strong defensive performances and attacking promise. Saudi Arabia, needing a win to qualify, have struggled offensively and defensively. Key players, team news, and form analysis suggest Cape Verde could clinch victory and make history by advancing on their tournament debut. A Cape Verde win with a clean sheet is tipped as the best value bet.
- Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia predictions for Friday's World Cup Group H game
- Everything to play for in Group H, Cape Verde backed for historic victory
- Saudi Arabia struggle in attack, good value on Blue Sharks win to nil
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 10.00am AEST on Saturday June 27
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Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
It's all to play for in Group H as Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia aim for the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup on Friday at NRG Stadium.
Cape Verde are looking to qualify for the knockout phase on their tournament debut after two highly impressive draws against tournament favourites Spain and two-time winners Uruguay, while Saudi Arabia know that all three points here would be enough to propel them into the top two - if Spain defeat Uruguay in the corresponding fixture.
It makes for a cracking contest and I think Cape Verde can make history here. The African nation have been brilliant across their opening two games, showcasing defensive resilience to hold Spain to a point before coming from behind with some great attacking football to secure a 2-2 share of the spoils with Uruguay.
The Green Falcons did well to earn a point with Uruguay, but were blown away 4-0 by Spain and have only attempted 10 shots in total this World Cup, while they do have a very poor record overall at this tournament.
This is a great opportunity for Cape Verde and I'm backing them to take it. Bit of extra value on a win to nil given the Saudis' struggles in attack. Gilson Benchimol started up front in the draw with Uruguay and was on target in a lead-in friendly, so he's the pick for anytime goalscorer.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Stats & Trends
- Cape Verde are unbeaten in 16 of their last 17 games inside 90 minutes
- Saudi Arabia have conceded 49 shots while attempting just 10 in their two World Cup games
- Saudi Arabia have lost 13 of their last 18 World Cup games
- Saudi Arabia have gone winless in nine of their last 10 games
- Six of Cape Verde's last seven wins have been to nil
- Gilson Benchimol has scored six goals in 22 games for Cape Verde
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Head To Head
This will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Cape Verde Form Analysis
Cape Verde have their destiny in their own hands ahead of this game as they target a historic spot in the R32 on their World Cup debut.
Even a draw could be enough for the Blue Sharks as one of the eight-best third-ranked nations, but they will want to eliminate all doubt and go for all three points here.
Cape Verde twice came from behind to equalise against Uruguay, with Helio Varela's stunning strike in the second-half earning them a valuable point.
After 0-0 and 2-2 draws with Spain and Uruguay, Bubista's side could secure a top two spot in the group with a draw here and Spain defeating Uruguay in the other fixutre.
Even a draw could be enough for the Blue Sharks as one of the eight-best third-ranked nations, but they will want to eliminate all doubt and go for all three points here.
Cape Verde twice came from behind to equalise against Uruguay, with Helio Varela's stunning strike in the second-half earning them a valuable point.
Cape Verde Team News
Sidny Lopes is out suspended for this clash after picking up a second yellow card against Uruguay, with Joao Paulo a chance to replace him at the back.
Telmo Arcanjo and Jovane Cabral are battling niggles, but should be fit for this clash.
Cape Verde Squad
| Pos | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Vozinha (Vice-Captain) | 40 | 92 | 0 | Chaves |
| GK | Márcio Rosa | 29 | 11 | 0 | Montana |
| GK | CJ dos Santos | 25 | 1 | 0 | San Diego |
| DF | Stopira | 38 | 61 | 4 | Torreense |
| DF | Diney Borges | 31 | 34 | 2 | Al Bataeh |
| DF | Pico Lopes | 34 | 47 | 0 | Shamrock Rovers |
| DF | Logan Costa | 25 | 28 | 0 | Villarreal |
| DF | Sidny Lopes Cabral | 22 | 13 | 3 | Trabzonspor |
| DF | Steven Moreira | 31 | 22 | 0 | Columbus Crew |
| DF | Wagner Pina | 23 | 14 | 0 | Trabzonspor |
| DF | Kelvin Pires | 26 | 6 | 1 | SJK |
| MF | Kevin Pina | 29 | 33 | 4 | Krasnodar |
| MF | Jovane Cabral | 28 | 30 | 3 | Estrela Amadora |
| MF | João Paulo | 28 | 42 | 1 | FCSB |
| MF | Jamiro Monteiro | 32 | 57 | 5 | PEC Zwolle |
| MF | Garry Rodrigues (Third Captain) | 35 | 62 | 10 | Apollon Limassol |
| MF | Deroy Duarte | 26 | 35 | 0 | Ludogorets Razgrad |
| MF | Laros Duarte | 29 | 22 | 1 | Puskás Akadémia |
| MF | Yannick Semedo | 30 | 12 | 1 | Farense |
| MF | Telmo Arcanjo | 25 | 18 | 1 | Vitória de Guimarães |
| MF | Hélio Varela | 24 | 22 | 1 | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| FW | Gilson Benchimol | 24 | 22 | 6 | Akron Tolyatti |
| FW | Willy Semedo | 32 | 39 | 3 | Omonia |
| FW | Dailon Livramento | 25 | 23 | 7 | Casa Pia |
| FW | Ryan Mendes (Captain) | 36 | 99 | 22 | Iğdır |
| FW | Nuno da Costa | 35 | 11 | 2 | İstanbul Başakşehir |
Saudi Arabia Form Analysis
Saudi Arabia started their World Cup campaign with an encouraging draw against Uruguay, but they failed to capitalise on that momentum, suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat to Spain.
The Green Falcons managed to cause the biggest upset of the 2022 World Cup when they beat eventual champions Argentina in the group stage, but they were no match for La Roja.
Georgios Donis' side now need to pick up all three points in order to qualify for the Round of 32. The Saudis are struggling going forward, only attempting 10 shots, while their poor World Cup record overall doesn't inspire much confidence.
Saudi Arabia Team News
No injury or suspension concerns for Saudi Arabia here.
Firas Al-Buraikan has scored 16 goals for his country and should continue in attack.
Saudi Arabia Squad
| Pos | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Nawaf Al-Aqidi | 26 | 24 | 0 | Al-Nassr |
| GK | Mohammed Al-Owais | 34 | 67 | 0 | Al-Ula |
| GK | Ahmed Al-Kassar | 35 | 9 | 0 | Al-Qadsiah |
| DF | Ali Majrashi | 26 | 21 | 0 | Al-Ahli |
| DF | Ali Lajami | 30 | 26 | 1 | Al-Hilal |
| DF | Abdulelah Al-Amri | 29 | 46 | 2 | Al-Nassr |
| DF | Hassan Al-Tambakti | 27 | 56 | 1 | Al-Hilal |
| DF | Saud Abdulhamid | 26 | 57 | 1 | Lens |
| DF | Nawaf Boushal | 26 | 28 | 0 | Al-Nassr |
| DF | Hassan Kadesh | 33 | 21 | 2 | Al-Ittihad |
| DF | Moteb Al-Harbi | 26 | 15 | 0 | Al-Hilal |
| DF | Jehad Thakri | 24 | 8 | 0 | Al-Qadsiah |
| DF | Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat | 23 | 10 | 0 | Al-Qadsiah |
| MF | Nasser Al-Dawsari | 27 | 49 | 1 | Al-Hilal |
| MF | Musab Al-Juwayr | 23 | 39 | 6 | Al-Qadsiah |
| MF | Ayman Yahya | 25 | 26 | 0 | Al-Nassr |
| MF | Salem Al-Dawsari (Captain) | 34 | 113 | 27 | Al-Hilal |
| MF | Abdullah Al-Khaibari | 29 | 44 | 0 | Al-Nassr |
| MF | Ziyad Al-Johani | 24 | 12 | 0 | Al-Ahli |
| MF | Alaa Al-Hejji | 30 | 5 | 0 | Neom |
| MF | Sultan Mandash | 31 | 7 | 2 | Al-Hilal |
| MF | Mohamed Kanno (Vice-Captain) | 31 | 81 | 8 | Al-Hilal |
| FW | Firas Al-Buraikan | 26 | 74 | 16 | Al-Ahli |
| FW | Saleh Al-Shehri | 32 | 59 | 17 | Al-Ittihad |
| FW | Khalid Al-Ghannam | 25 | 8 | 0 | Al-Ettifaq |
| FW | Abdullah Al-Hamdan | 26 | 54 | 13 | Al-Nassr |
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Live Stream
Watch and bet on Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia live football from the World Cup.
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Verdict
Cape Verde are backed for the win and can keep a clean sheet as they look to qualify for the R32.
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