World Cup 2026: Cabo Verde and Egypt reach play-offs, Uruguay eliminated

The final matches of Groups G and H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico saw several surprises. Belgium, Egypt, Spain and debutant Cabo Verde qualified for the play-offs, with Cabo Verde achieving the remarkable feat of advancing with three draws. Two-time world champions Uruguay were eliminated.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico saw the final standings of Groups G and H determined over the weekend, producing several upsets.

Cabo Verde makes history

Debutant Cabo Verde made World Cup history by reaching the play-offs with only draws. The team finished all three group matches 0:0 and secured second place in Group H after a 0:0 draw with Saudi Arabia. The last time a similar achievement was achieved was at the 1998 World Cup in France with Chile. In the next round, Cabo Verde will face Argentina on 4 July.

Spain topped Group H with seven points, defeating Uruguay 1:0. The only goal was scored in the 42nd minute by striker Alex Baena after Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's error. Uruguay's midfielder Agustín Canóbio was also sent off in added time. Uruguay finished third with two points and was eliminated from the tournament. Saudi Arabia, also with two points, finished last in the group.

Belgium thrashes New Zealand

In Group G, Belgium produced a stunning performance, crushing New Zealand 5:1 and topping the group with five points. Belgian goalscorers included two from Leandro Trossard, with one goal each from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers. New Zealand's consolation goal came from Elijah Just. Belgium's play-off opponent will be determined later.

Egypt finished second in Group G with five points thanks to a 1:1 draw with Iran. Mahmoud Saber put Egypt ahead in the fifth minute. Iran's Mehdi Taremi failed to convert a penalty in the 11th minute, but Ramin Rezaeian equalised in the 14th. In added time, Shojai Khalilzadeh appeared to have given Iran victory, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. This is Egypt's first time in history to qualify from a World Cup group stage, with a play-off match against Australia on 3 July. Iran finished third with three points and remains theoretically in contention for a play-off spot.

28 play-off qualifiers now confirmed

A total of 28 of the 32 play-off participants are now known. Nine groups have been completed, with the final matches of Groups J, K and L still to come.

Group winners confirmed: Mexico (A), Switzerland (B), Brazil (C), USA (D), Germany (E), the Netherlands (F), Belgium (G), Spain (H), France (I) and Argentina (J). Second-place qualifiers include South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Japan, Egypt and Cabo Verde. Additionally, the best third-place teams from multiple groups have secured advancement: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paraguay, Ecuador, Sweden and Senegal.

Play-off pairings already confirmed: Germany-Paraguay, France-Sweden, South Africa-Canada, Netherlands-Morocco, USA-Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil-Japan, Ivory Coast-Norway, Argentina-Cabo Verde and Australia-Egypt.