Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from World Cup 2026. They finished bottom of Group H on 2 points and will not reach the Round of 32.
Their final group match against Cape Verde ended their campaign rather than extending it. Here is how Group H finished.
Where Saudi Arabia Finished in Group H
Saudi Arabia ended their group stage in fourth place, bottom of Group H, alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde, on 2 points. They finished level on points with third-placed Uruguay but were edged out on goal difference.
Spain won the group and Cape Verde, on a historic first World Cup appearance, finished as runners-up to claim the second automatic Round of 32 place. Uruguay came third but missed out on a best third-placed spot.
| Position | Team | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | Group winner, through to Round of 32 (7 points) |
| 2 | Cape Verde | Runner-up, through to Round of 32 (3 points) |
| 3 | Uruguay | Third, eliminated (2 points) |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | Fourth, eliminated (2 points) |
Why Saudi Arabia Went Out
Saudi Arabia needed a win over Cape Verde in their final group game to climb the table, but the result went against them and they were eliminated. They finished bottom on 2 points, level with Uruguay on points but behind on goal difference. The best third-placed route was also closed off: only the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups advance, ranked by points first, then goal difference, then goals scored, and Saudi Arabia’s fourth-place finish was never going to be enough.
The full tie-break order is set out in the World Cup 2026 tiebreaker rules, and you can see how the Round of 32 format works for the complete qualification rules.
What Happens Next in Group H
Spain march on as group winners and can already look at who Spain could face in the Round of 32 and their wider Spain match schedule at the World Cup. Cape Verde join them in the knockout stage as runners-up.
The Round of 32 has now been played, and the Round of 16 has begun. For the bigger picture, see the full Saudi Arabia match schedule at the World Cup and how to follow the rest of the tournament.
Following from home? See where to watch the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, how to watch the World Cup in Saudi Arabia for free, or which Saudi Pro League stars at the World Cup to look out for.
Image: Анна Нэсси via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Saudi Arabia qualified for the Round of 32?
No. Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H on 2 points and have been eliminated. They will not play in the Round of 32.
Which teams qualified from Group H?
Spain won Group H and Cape Verde finished as runners-up, both reaching the Round of 32. Uruguay finished third and Saudi Arabia fourth, and both went out.
Could Saudi Arabia have qualified as a best third-placed team?
No. Only the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups advance, and Saudi Arabia finished fourth in their group on 2 points, short of that route.
Sources
- Sky Sports – World Cup 2026 Group H Guide
- ESPN – How Teams Can Advance to the Knockout Rounds
- Al Jazeera – Which Teams Have Qualified for the Round of 32
- FOX Sports – Saudi Arabia World Cup 2026 Schedule
- FIFA – Saudi Arabia Team Page
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