How lucky or unlucky were Cape Verde in the World Cup 2026 group stage?

Group-stage totals: 3 points from 2.93 xPts (points luck +0.07) and 2 goals conceded from 4.81 xGA (defensive luck +2.81). The group-stage match-by-match xG table below shows how Cape Verde's group-stage luck built game by game.

Where did Cape Verde finish in Group H?

Cape Verde finished second in Group H with 3 points from 2.93 group-stage xPts (Δ +0.07).

What are Cape Verde's group, knockout and total xG numbers?

Cape Verde have 2.47 group-stage xGF and 4.81 group-stage xGA, plus 0.47 knockout xGF and 2.26 knockout xGA. Total: 2.94 xGF, 7.07 xGA.

What was Cape Verde's best xG match?

Cape Verde's highest-xGF match was 0–0 vs Saudi Arabia: 1.39 xG for and 0.39 xG against.

Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup

Eliminated

Cape Verde are eliminated from the World Cup 2026 after Match 86 against Argentina. Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde; Argentina 2.26–0.47 Cape Verde xG.

Cape Verde had 2 goals from 2.47 xG (finishing luck -0.47) and 3 points from 2.93 xPts (points luck +0.07) in the World Cup 2026 group stage.

Next for Cape Verde

Knockout result

Cape Verde vs Argentina

Match 86 (Round of 32) result page with score, match xG and advancement context.

Latest xG match

2–3 vs Argentina

Knockout stage · xG 0.47-2.26 · eliminated

Group table

Group H finish

3 points from 2.93 group-stage xPts. Official group rank decides qualification.

Results

All scores with xG

Every finished match, scoreline, match xG and one-line verdict.

Quick answers

EliminatedAre Cape Verde eliminated from the World Cup 2026?: Cape Verde are eliminated from the World Cup 2026 after Match 86 against Argentina. Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde; Argentina 2.26–0.47 Cape Verde xG.
Group-stage verdictHow lucky or unlucky were Cape Verde in the World Cup 2026 group stage?: Group-stage totals: 3 points from 2.93 xPts (points luck +0.07) and 2 goals conceded from 4.81 xGA (defensive luck +2.81). The group-stage match-by-match xG table below shows how Cape Verde's group-stage luck built game by game.
Group finishWhere did Cape Verde finish in Group H?: Cape Verde finished second in Group H with 3 points from 2.93 group-stage xPts (Δ +0.07).
xG by stageWhat are Cape Verde's group, knockout and total xG numbers?: Cape Verde have 2.47 group-stage xGF and 4.81 group-stage xGA, plus 0.47 knockout xGF and 2.26 knockout xGA. Total: 2.94 xGF, 7.07 xGA.
Best xG matchWhat was Cape Verde's best xG match?: Cape Verde's highest-xGF match was 0–0 vs Saudi Arabia: 1.39 xG for and 0.39 xG against.

xG by stage

Stage	Matches	Goals	xGF / xGA	xGD	xPts	Scope
Group stage	3	2–2	2.47 / 4.81	-2.34	2.94	Official group-table scope
Knockout	1	2–3	0.47 / 2.26	-1.79	0.34	Match xPts is chance context only
Total	4	4–5	2.94 / 7.07	-4.13	3.28	All completed xG-backed matches

Knockout status

EliminatedAre Cape Verde eliminated from the World Cup 2026?: Cape Verde are eliminated from the World Cup 2026 after Match 86 against Argentina. Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde; Argentina 2.26–0.47 Cape Verde xG. Cape Verde vs Argentina xG guide/result.

Knockout receipts

2-3 vs ArgentinaKnockout stage · xG 0.47-2.26 · match xPts 0.34 · eliminated

Group-stage match receipts

0-0 vs SpainxG 0.20-2.10 · xPts 0.23 · Δ +0.77
2-2 vs UruguayxG 0.88-2.32 · xPts 0.56 · Δ +0.44
0-0 vs Saudi ArabiaxG 1.39-0.39 · xPts 2.15 · Δ -1.15

Featured story

Group H story

FIFA #20 Uruguay missed the Round of 32

Uruguay were eliminated despite 5.05 xPts, while Cape Verde reached the Round of 32 on three draws.

Schedule context

Cape Verde are -2.34 xGD through 3 xG matches against opponents averaging 19.3/48 in the World Cup field and FIFA #26.3 globally; trailed xG against a strong opponent field.

Group	Group H · 2nd in group
Knockout status	Eliminated Out after Match 86 vs Argentina
Published FIFA rank	FIFA #64 · 43rd of 48 World Cup teams
xG vs schedule	Avg opponent field rank 19.3 / 48 · Avg opponent FIFA #26.3 · trailed xG against a strong opponent field
Group-stage played / record	3 · 0W 3D 0L
Group-stage points	3
Group-stage expected points (xPts)	2.93
Group-stage Δ (Points − xPts)	+0.07
Group-stage goals for / against	2 / 2
Group-stage xG for / against	2.47 / 4.81
Group-stage finishing (Goals − xG)	-0.47
Group-stage defensive luck (xGA − GA)	+2.81

Where Cape Verde sit on the total xG luck quadrant

Where Cape Verde sit across all xG-backed matches so far — finishing luck (goals − xG) across, defensive luck (xGA − goals conceded) up; the crosshair is zero, exactly as the chances suggest. On the balance of play they are riding their luck.

See Cape Verde on the full interactive luck quadrant →

Best and worst group-stage xG matches

Best xG performance

Cape Verde 0–0 Saudi Arabia

Cape Verde had their strongest chance profile against Saudi Arabia, winning the xG battle 1.39–0.39.

Most unlucky result

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia

Cape Verde took 1 point from 2.15 xPts (Δ -1.15).

Most fortunate result

Cape Verde vs Spain

Cape Verde took 1 point from 0.23 xPts (Δ +0.77).

Group-stage match by match

Group-stage match-by-match luck — points taken minus expected points (xPts) each game. Green = took more than the chances deserved, red = deserved more.

Date	Match	Score	Group xG	xPts	Δ
15 June	@ Spain	0–0	0.20–2.10	0.23	+0.77
21 June	@ Uruguay	2–2	0.88–2.32	0.56	+0.44
26 June	v Saudi Arabia	0–0	1.39–0.39	2.15	-1.15

Δ here is per group-stage match: the points Cape Verde took that game minus their expected points (xPts) for it. Negative = robbed, positive = fortunate.

Knockout match by match

Date	Match	Score	Knockout xG	Match xPts	Verdict
3 July	@ Argentina	2–3	0.47–2.26	0.34	Argentina advanced with an xG edge (2.26–0.47 xG), winning 3–2.

Knockout rows are not added to group points or group-stage xPts. The score decides advancement; match xPts is chance-profile context.

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