Houston, June 27 -- Cabo Verde scripted a historic FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification story, holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw to seal their place in the knockout stage from Group H, finishing behind table-toppers Spain.

The Blue Sharks are also the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the global tournament.

The islanders, who are the third smallest nation to play at the global finals, drew all three of their matches to progress in second place, according to the FIFA Website.

Cabo Verde became the first nation since Chile at the 1998 World Cup to advance from the group stage after drawing all of their matches. The Blue Sharks' Deroy Duarte was also adjudged Player of the Match for his standout performance.

The Bl...