Now the Knockout Stage Begins – Cape Verde Dream On

The group stage of the biggest World Cup ever is over. The favourites have made it through, some big names are already gone - and debutants Cape Verde have written one of the stories of the tournament.

Cape Verde celebrate their historic qualification for the knockout stage: the World Cup debutants went unbeaten in the group phase and now face defending champions Argentina.

48 teams started, 32 are still alive. The new XXL group stage of the 2026 World Cup delivered exactly what it promised: more matches, more calculations, more surprising tables – and a few stories hardly anyone had on their list before the tournament.
The biggest of them comes from the Cape Verde Islands. Three matches, three draws, not a single win – and yet the World Cup debutants are through to the Round of 32. After the 0–0 draw against Saudi Arabia and Spain’s parallel 1–0 win over Uruguay, second place in Group H was enough. Sportschau called it “the most beautiful 0–0 in the history of the Cape Verde Islands.” Now they face none other than Argentina and Lionel Messi. The next chapter could hardly be any bigger.

The group stage sent plenty of other clear messages, too. Mexico, Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina, England, Colombia and the Netherlands all won their groups. Germany also advanced as group winners after two wins, although the final 2–1 defeat against Ecuador was the first real setback. In the Round of 32, Germany will now face Paraguay – a team that found its way into the knockout stage after a 4–1 opening defeat against the USA, followed by a 1–0 win over Turkey and a 0–0 draw with Australia.

For several teams, the new format became a lifeline. Ecuador, Sweden, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo, Algeria and Paraguay advanced as the best third-placed teams. This is exactly where the new World Cup showed its different character: teams that might previously have been heading home were still able to calculate, hope – and in some cases keep dreaming.

The final group-stage matchday fitted this tournament perfectly. England worked their way to a 2–0 win over Panama and finished top of Group L. Croatia beat Ghana 2–1, with both teams still going through. Colombia secured first place with a 0–0 draw against Portugal, while DR Congo came from behind against Uzbekistan, won 3–1 and celebrated their first ever World Cup victory.

And then there was that wild finale in Kansas City: Algeria against Austria, 3–3, two goals in stoppage time – and both teams through in the end. Austria led twice through Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer, Algeria came back twice. In stoppage time, Riyad Mahrez seemed to have completed the turnaround: 3–2 to Algeria, Austria on the brink. But just moments later, substitute Sasa Kalajdzic headed in the 3–3 equaliser. Austria saved second place and will now face Spain, while Algeria advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will play Switzerland. Group-stage drama does not get much better than that.

And with that, the group stage is history. From now on, there are no tactical draws, no second chances and no more group-table maths. South Africa against Canada opens the Round of 32, followed by matches including Brazil against Japan, Germany against Paraguay, the Netherlands against Morocco, France against Sweden, England against DR Congo, Spain against Austria, Portugal against Croatia, Australia against Egypt – and finally Argentina against Cape Verde.

For the ProXES betting competition, this also marks the start of a new phase. A strong start mattered, but nothing has been decided yet. From now on, it is about staying with it, making every prediction count and staying switched on until the final minute. Because in the knockout round, one late goal, extra time or a penalty shootout can change everything – on the pitch and in the betting table.