Argentina is gearing up to meet Cape Verde in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. This exciting matchup is scheduled for Friday, July 3, at 10:00 PM UTC (6:00 PM Cuba Time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. It's one of the most anticipated fixtures in the knockout stage.
As the reigning world champion, Argentina enters the match as the dominant leader of Group J, having secured 6 points with a flawless performance. They triumphed 3-0 against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City and 2-0 against Austria on June 22 in Dallas. In these encounters, Lionel Messi was the sole scorer for Argentina, achieving a hat-trick against Algeria and a double against Austria. His five goals in the group stage have elevated him to the status of the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals, surpassing both Miroslav Klose (16) and Marta Vieira (17). The Argentine defense also remained unbreached during the group phase.
On the other side, Cape Verde has been the surprise story of the tournament. Making their debut appearance in a World Cup, the African team concluded the group stage undefeated, securing three draws: a 0-0 result against Spain on June 15 in Atlanta, a 2-2 tie with Uruguay on June 21 in Miami, and another 0-0 stalemate against Saudi Arabia this past Saturday in Houston.
The draw against Spain was historic, as no team had ever kept a clean sheet in their World Cup debut against a powerhouse since Trinidad and Tobago in 2006. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha, made seven saves and was named MVP of that match. Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup goal during the clash with Uruguay.
Cape Verde finished second in Group H with 3 points and a zero goal difference, progressing thanks to Uruguay's loss to Spain in the final group stage match. Forward Dailon Livramento (25 years old, Casa Pia A.C.) is a key offensive player for the team, boasting seven goals and one assist in 21 matches since 2024.
This upcoming encounter marks the first official FIFA World Cup meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde, setting the stage for a historic clash. The victor will advance to the tournament's Round of 16.
Frequently Asked Questions about Argentina vs. Cape Verde Match
When and where is the Argentina vs. Cape Verde match?
The match is scheduled for Friday, July 3, at 10:00 PM UTC (6:00 PM Cuba Time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
How did Argentina perform in the group stage?
Argentina dominated Group J with two victories: 3-0 against Algeria and 2-0 against Austria, without conceding any goals.
Who is the standout player for Cape Verde?
Dailon Livramento is a key offensive player for Cape Verde, having scored seven goals and provided one assist in 21 matches.