World Cup 2026: Spain’s Struggles Against African Teams At World Cups Continues After Cape Verde Draw

Cape Verde pulled off the shock of the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far as they held European champions Spain to a battling goalless draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta.

Spain has now failed to defeat an African nation in their last three World Cup matches, managing only two draws and a loss.

Prior to the game against Cape Verde, the Spaniards lost on penalties to Morocco in the round of 16 at Qatar 2022, and were held to a 2-2 draw by the Atlas Lions in the group stage in 2018 in Russia.

The last time Spain defeated an African nation at the World Cup was in 2006, when they beat Tunisia 3-1 in the group stage.

In their opening group match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at France 1998 World Cup, Spain lost 3-2.

In Monday’s group opener, despite seeing plenty of possession in the first half, Luis De La Fuente’s team - who started with Lamine Yamal on the bench - were unable to break down a determined Cape Verde defence, as Ferran Torres hit the crossbar from close range.

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Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced a fine reaction save to deny Torres and then tipped away Aymeric Laporte’s glancing header from a corner as the World Cup debutants got into half-time on level terms.

Yamal - who had been out since April with a hamstring problem and missed the final weeks of Barcelona’s LaLiga-winning campaign - was eventually sent on with 20 minutes left, but Spain could not find a way past Vozinha as the Blue Sharks held out for a famous result.

Spain will be back in action on June 21 when they will face Saudi Arabia while also on the same day Cape Verde will battle Uruguay.