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A win over Saudi Arabia would send Cape Verde to the round of 32 at the World Cup
By Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
Here's something that very few could have reasonably expected coming into this World Cup: Cape Verde controls its own destiny with one match left in group play.That's right. With a win on Friday against Saudi Arabia, the tiny nation of about 500,000 people and about 15 million new Instagram follo...
Key takeaway With a win on Friday against Saudi Arabia, the tiny nation of about 500,000 people and about 15 million new Instagram follo...
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The prospect of Cape Verde advancing to the round of 32 has significant implications for San Antonio 's own soccer community. With a sizable Cape Verdean diaspora in the United States, including in Massachusetts, the city's residents with Cape Verdean roots are likely to be closely following the team's progress. A win over Saudi Arabia would not only send Cape Verde to the next stage but also potentially set up a highly anticipated match against Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi. This could generate considerable interest and excitement among local soccer fans, potentially inspiring a new generation of young players in San Antonio. The city's own soccer enthusiasts may find themselves drawn to the improbable story of Cape Verde's team, which includes players with connections to the United States, and could spark a sense of pride and connection to the sport within the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Here's something that very few could have reasonably expected coming into this World Cup: Cape Verde controls its own destiny with one match left in group play.That's right. With a win on Friday against Saudi Arabia, the tiny nation of about 500,000 people and about 15 million new Instagram follo...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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