Next Friday, July 3rd, Argentina and Cape Verde will meet in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled to start at 7 PM Brasília time at the Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami, United States.
Broadcast and Lineups
This confrontation between Argentina and Cape Verde will be broadcast on several platforms, including CazéTV (via YouTube), GeTV (via YouTube), SporTV, TV Globo, SBT, and NSports.
Probable Team Formations
For Argentina, coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to field Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, and Medina; Enzo Fernández, De Paul, and Mac Allister; Almada, Lionel Messi, and Julián Álvarez (with Lautaro Martínez on the bench). Cape Verde, under the command of Pedro Leitão, has a probable lineup of Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, and Willy Semedo; Lenini, Jamiro Monteiro, Arcanjo, Garry Rodrigues, and Ryan Mendes; Gilson Tavares.
The game will be officiated by Drew Fischer (CAN), assisted by Micheal Barwegen and Lyes Arfa (both CAN). Sandra Ramírez (MEX) will serve as the VAR official. The definitive formations will be announced approximately one hour before the start of the match.
Performance in Qualifiers
Argentina secured its spot in the Round of 16 after leading Group J. The Argentinians earned nine points by winning matches against Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, concluding the first stage of the 2026 World Cup. A major highlight was Lionel Messi, who not only holds the current top scorer position in the competition with six goals but has also established himself as the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cups with 19 goals, surpassing Ronaldo Fenômeno and Miroslav Klose.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, finished second in Group H. Despite drawing three times against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, the team is debuting in the World Cup and is already making history by becoming the smallest nation on the planet to participate in the knockout stage. The winner of this match will face the team that qualifies between Australia and Egypt.
