Argentina vs Cabo Verde Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
The reigning world and double South American champions are looking to go deep at FIFA World Cup 2026 as the Argentinians kick off their knockout stage against FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Argentina preview: Impressive and in control
Lionel Messi, who has not ruled out potentially even featuring at FIFA World Cup 2030, has scored six of Argentina’s eight FIFA World Cup goals this summer with three wins from three seeing the defending champions win Group J with ease ahead of Austria, Algeria and Jordan.
In their opening game, Argentina won 3-0 with Messi scoring a hat-trick before the captain then scored a brace, having missed a penalty, in a 2-0 of Austria and then he came off the bench to score quite a tame free-kick in a 3-1 victory over Jordan after a free-kick from Giovani Lo Celso and a penalty scored by Lautaro Martinez.
Cabo Verde preview: A remarkable story
Having qualified ahead of African giants Cameroon in the CAF qualifying group stages of FIFA World Cup 2026, the Cabo Verdeans have produced a major surprise to become the smallest country to ever reach the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup.
Cabo Verde began their group stage campaign in Group H with a famous goalless draw against Spain in Atlanta. That was followed up by a fun and entertaining 2-2 draw with two-time world champions Uruguay before then sharing another goalless draw, this time against Saudi Arabia, to finish as runners-up behind the Spanish in Group H.
Argentina team news: Back to full strength?
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Argentina made some changes against Jordan in their final group stage game and some of the players that came into the side, Nico Paz and Giovani Lo Celso, did flourish but are expected to drop back out.
There is a slight concern in defence, with Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero having been ruled out against Jordan after limping off against Austria but the injury-prone centre-back is said to be fit for this one.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi; La. Martinez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Romero (Fitness)
Cabo Verde team news: Lopes Cabral returns
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Benfica full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral, who was excellent against both Spain and Uruguay, has returned from suspension for this one and so he will be able to come back in at left-back ahead of Joao Paulo.
Vitoria de Guimaraes defensive midfielder Tomas Arcanjo impressed against Uruguay but went off through injury and he remains a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S. Lopes Cabral; K. Pina, D. Duarte; Mendes, Monteiro, Rodrigues; Da Costa
Unavailable:
Questionable: Arcanjo (Injured), J. Cabral (Fitness)
Argentina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Emiliano Martinez ($5.0m) – Goalkeeper
Lisandro Martinez ($4.6m) – Defender
Lionel Messi ($10.0m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Lionel Messi
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Lionel Messi
Free kicks: Lionel Messi
Corners: Lionel Messi, Nico Paz
Cabo Verde’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Vozinha ($3.9m) – Goalkeeper
Pico ($3.7m) – Defender
Jamiro Monteiro ($4.6m) – Midfielder
Matchday 4 captain pick: Vozinha
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Garry Rodrigues, Ryan Mendes
Free kicks: Jamiro Monteiro
Corners: Jamiro Monteiro
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between Argentina and Cabo Verde.
- With the win against Jordan, Argentina became just the third team in FIFA World Cup history to reach 50 victories, after Brazil and Germany.
- Argentina are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup matches (W7 D2).
- Argentina have never lost a FIFA World Cup knockout tie against a nation outside of CONMEBOL or UEFA.
- Argentina’s Lionel Messi stands as the all‑time leader in both appearances and goals in FIFA World Cup history. He is poised to become the first player to reach 30 matches played at the tournament and is just one goal away from becoming the first to score 20.
- Lionel Messi is the first player in the history of the FIFA World Cup to score in seven successive matches.
- Cabo Verde were the only one of the four debutants to qualify for the knockout phase.
- Cabo Verde are unbeaten in their debut FIFA World Cup campaign having drawn all three matches in the group stage.
- Cabo Verde have already faced two winners of the FIFA World Cup in the competition so far, drawing 0-0 against Spain and 2-2 with Uruguay in their first two fixtures.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Argentina vs Cabo Verde prediction
Argentina look very impressive. The last half a decade or so has seen manager Lionel Scaloni find the right balance, both in style and personnel, to allow arguably the greatest footballer of all time Lionel Messi to decide things for them on the biggest of stages.
Cabo Verde have shown that, against potentially better possession teams such as Spain, they can be awkward opposition but, perhaps unlike Spain, the Argentinians boast some more maverick talents capable of producing moments of magic in low-scoring and frustrating matches.
Cabo Verde have won quite a few new supporters in this tournament and this is a grand occasion for them but Argentina will be expected to progress into the Round of 16 with ease in Miami.
Argentina vs Cabo Verde betting tip: Argentina to win with -1 handicap
