Cabo Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte expressed disbelief and joy after his team secured a historic place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time. The Blue Sharks held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in their final Group H fixture, finishing second behind group winners Spain. Duarte, who was named Player of the Match for his standout performance, described the achievement as surreal.
Duarte's Emotional Reaction to Historic Qualification
"Honestly, it's mad. I feel like I'm in a dream," Duarte said, as quoted by Reuters. The midfielder reflected on his journey from childhood dreams to making history on the global stage. "Ever since I was a kid, I've always dreamed of playing in a World Cup. To be man of the match and make history is something I could never have imagined," he added.
Cabo Verde's progression marks a significant milestone for the island nation, which is the smallest country to reach the knockout stages of the tournament. The Blue Sharks drew all three of their group matches, becoming the first team since Chile in 1998 to advance from the group stage without a win.
Focus Shifts to Round of 32 Against Argentina
Duarte urged his teammates to celebrate the achievement before preparing for their next challenge. "First, let's celebrate. We're so happy. Let's hope all Cape Verdeans are happy too. From tomorrow, we'll focus on the next match," he said. Looking ahead to the Round of 32, Cabo Verde will face defending champions Argentina. Duarte acknowledged the difficulty but remained optimistic: "It's against Argentina, isn't it? A tough match, but let's believe. Anything is possible."
Cabo Verde's Remarkable Journey
Cabo Verde, the third smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup finals, drew all three group matches to secure second place in Group H, according to the FIFA website. Their defensive resilience and disciplined performances have earned them a historic opportunity to face Argentina, who are among the tournament favorites.
