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Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde enter their Group H finale at the bottom of the table, but both still have a path to the knockout stage with a win and some help elsewhere.

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Cape Verde were written off before the tournament, but my Saudi Arabia vs. Cape Verde predictions back the Blue Sharks to deliver one of the group stage’s biggest shocks and keep their World Cup run alive.

Read on for my World Cup picks for Friday, June 26, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET on FS1.

 TOP PICK
Who will win Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia: Cape Verde (+175)

Despite investment in the Saudi Pro League, their national team has been a disappointment at this World Cup. A defeat to Spain was expected, although the manner of defeat, with just three shots, was concerning.

However, it’s the draw to a dysfunctional Uruguay that really set off alarm bells. They took the lead but largely thanks to the opposition rather than any dynamism of their own. Their lack of creativity and calmness in the final third of the pitch is a major issue.

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On the other side of that, you have Cape Verde, which opened the tournament with a famous draw against Spain before a 2-2 result against Uruguay last time out. What really stood out was the difference between the games.

Against Spain, they relied upon goalkeeping heroics, but in their second game, they opened up and were the better team for large parts of the game.

The speed in wide positions caused Uruguay problems, and we’re going to see more of the same against Saudi Arabia. The Saudi’s are hard workers, but the speed of Cape Verde on the counter, and the running of those wide players, will be decisive.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Over/Under pick: Under 2.5 (-127)

We haven’t seen much yet to believe that this game could become a shootout, despite both teams still being in contention for a spot in the knockouts. Through two games, the Saudi side has registered just 10 shots.

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While both teams lack a real superstar, it’s the Saudi Arabians who are without pace in wide positions. They say speed kills, and we’ve seen against both of these teams that speed, especially in wide positions, has created goals.

Through two games, it’s Cape Verde who look most likely to score, and three points on Friday would likely see them through. So then it’s a matter of game script, and we have evidence from their 0-0 draw with Spain that they are more than capable of playing a low block and holding out with their points.

Spain struggled to break them down, and with Saudi Arabia lacking the technicians capable of receiving the ball in tight positions, and then redistributing, it’s hard to see them scoring if Cape Verde dig in.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia projected lineup

Cape Verde (4-3-3): Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Cabral; Arcanjo, Pina, Monteiro; Mendes, Benchimol, Rodrigues
Saudi Arabia (4-4-2): Al-Owais; Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Al-Tambakti, Al-Harbi; Al-Shamat, Kanno, Al-Khaibari, Al-Dawsari; Al-Brikan, Al-Juwayr

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Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia injuries

Cape Verde: None.
Saudi Arabia: None.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia weather

This match is being played in a dome.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia odds today

Odds courtesy of Kalshi.

How to watch Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia

Check out FIFA’s official 2026 World Cup website for more information.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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