Houston, June 27 -- Cabo Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte described the emotion of his side's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification as mad and said he felt like he was living a dream after the Blue Sharks sealed their place in the knockout stage for the first time.

"Honestly, it's mad. I feel like I'm in a dream," Duarte said, as quoted by Reuters after Cabo Verde held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in their final Group H fixture to progress behind table-toppers Spain.

Reflecting on his journey, Duarte said reaching the World Cup and making history was beyond anything he had imagined. Duarte was also adjudged Player of the Match for his standout performance.

"Ever since I was a kid, I've always dreamed of playing in a World Cup. To ...