Saudi Arabia were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Cabo Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday, marking their third consecutive group-stage exit.
The draw saw Cabo Verde finish second in Group H with three points, becoming the smallest nation ever to advance to the World Cup knockout stage. Spain topped the group with seven points, while Saudi Arabia and Uruguay ended their campaigns with two points each after Uruguay suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the other group fixture.
Saudi Arabia have now failed to progress beyond the group stage in their last six World Cup appearances, with their only trip to the knockout rounds coming in their tournament debut in 1994, when they reached the Round of 16.
Cabo Verde’s qualification also marks the first time since Ghana and Ukraine in 2006 that a nation making its World Cup debut has advanced beyond the group stage.