Lionel Messi will be playing in his adopted city of Miami as the holders take on the tournament’s surprise package.
Round of 32
Saturday, 4 July | Miami Stadium
Kick-off time
06:00 (GMT+8)
The match
Having defied all expectations by reaching the knockout stage at their first FIFA World Cup™ and doing so while remaining unbeaten, Cape Verde’s wild ride in North America continues with the toughest match imaginable, against holders Argentina.
La Albiceleste have picked up in North America where they left off after lifting the trophy in Qatar four years ago, being one of just three of the 48 participating teams to win all three of their group games. And despite it being his sixth World Cup and having recently turned 39, Lionel Messi is showing no signs of slowing down, and is now the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
He leads the race for the adidas Golden Boot with six goals from his three games while against Jordan he became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. He will also feel at home in Miami, the city which he has called home since 2023. But Cape Verde have nothing to fear after holding previous winners Spain and Uruguay to draws. And they have developed their own cult hero in the tournament, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha.
Argentina possible starting XI
Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Cape Verde possible starting XI
Vozinha, Pina, Lopes, Borges, Paulo; Pina; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, Semedo; Livramento
What they said…
“Cape Verde are a team that didn’t lose, and in some matches, especially against Saudi Arabia, they even deserved to win. They defended well against Spain and Uruguay. They intercept passes through the middle effectively and then launch counter-attacks. They’re a good team; we were already analyzing them. We’re not surprised they advanced; they didn’t get there by chance. We have to respect them, and that’s what we’ll do.” Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach
“They are world champions; that says it all. We will focus primarily on our own organization. Obviously, we already have a strategy for the match. We are confident we can play well and aim for the win. We will go after it, fully aware of the challenges the game will present. We will try to adapt in the best possible way as the match unfolds. It is very clear to all our players: it will be a tough battle for us, but we also want to make it difficult for them.
“As a team, we have our strategy – not just for Messi or for Argentina. We know they are the reigning champions and one of the best teams in the competition. Obviously, Messi is one of the best players in the world, but everything we do in terms of our organization is aimed at the entire Argentina team.” Bubista, Cape Verde coach
Miami Stadium
Miami Stadium serves as home to the Miami Dolphins, Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open tennis tournament, University of Miami, Orange Blossom Classic and Orange Bowl college football games, Jazz in the Gardens and other concerts and festivals. The stadium played host to eight fixtures during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, including the opening showdown between Al Ahly FC and Inter Miami CF. Miami is a familiar stamping ground now at the FIFA World Cup 2026 for Cabo Verde, who played out two creditable draws with Spain and Uruguay in Group H. The two other group games in Miami were Portugal’s thrilling 0-0 draw with Colombia and Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland, while it will also host one quarter-final and the Bronze Final.