MIAMI — Five days into FIFA World Cup 2026, the tournament’s biggest story may not be the favorites chasing glory, but the underdogs refusing to lose.
A remarkable Monday saw all four matches end in draws, with lower-ranked teams once again proving that reputations count for little on football’s biggest stage.
Saudi Arabia joined the trend by holding 16th-ranked Uruguay to a 1-1 draw in Miami, while Cape Verde produced the shock of the tournament by frustrating European champion Spain in a goalless draw.
Egypt also earned a valuable 1-1 draw against Belgium, while New Zealand battled to a 2-2 stalemate with Iran.
The results mean that every team in Group H — Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde — sits on one point after the opening round. The same situation exists in Group G, where Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand are also level on one point.
Leandro Trossard and Brandon Mechele of Belgium in action against Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Belgium against Egypt, in Seattle. — EPA
Saudi Arabia, ranked 61st in the world, continued a tradition of upsetting football’s established powers at the World Cup. Four years ago, the Green Falcons stunned eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history.
Against Uruguay, Saudi Arabia came within 10 minutes of another famous victory before Maximiliano Araújo cancelled out Abdulelah Al Amri’s opener.
“The draw involving Spain may be the biggest surprise in this World Cup,” Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said after witnessing Cape Verde’s historic result.
Cape Verde’s achievement was arguably the most remarkable. Ranked 67th in the world and appearing at its first World Cup, the African nation held one of the tournament favorites scoreless thanks largely to an inspired performance from veteran goalkeeper Vozinha.
Goalkeeper Vozinha of Cape Verde waves the national flag of Cape Verde after the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Spain vs Cabo Verde, in Atlanta. — EPA
The result highlighted the growing competitiveness of the expanded 48-team tournament, which some critics feared would create one-sided matches.
Instead, the opening week has produced a series of surprises. Qatar held Switzerland to a draw, Bosnia and Herzegovina earned a point against Canada, and Japan battled the Netherlands to a 2-2 stalemate.
Pedro Miguel of Qatar celebrates after his team scored the 1-1 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Qatar against Switzerland, in San Francisco. — EPA
Only Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador stands as a notable upset victory so far.
With two group matches remaining, the margins are becoming increasingly tight. Every point could prove decisive in the race for the knockout rounds.
“Football is like that,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “There are no small opponents here.”
Source: Saudi Gazette