Argentina and Cabo Verde face off on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in the Round of 32 of the Football World Cup in 2026, the ultimate David vs. Goliath clash of the knockout stage.
This blog covers everything you need to know about the Argentina vs Cabo Verde Football World Cup in 2026 kick-off time, team news, squad lists, how to watch, and tactical breakdown.
Key Details
- Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 6:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM BST / 3:30 AM IST (Saturday, July 4) / 8:00 AM AEST (Saturday, July 4)
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports / FOX One (USA) | ITV1 / ITVX (UK) | SBS / SBS on Demand (Australia) | Zee5 (India) | Bell Media (Canada)
Where to Watch Argentina vs Cabo Verde Football World Cup Match?
The match is broadcast on Fox Sports in the USA, ITV1 in the UK, SBS in Australia, Zee5 in India, and Bell Media in Canada.
In the UK, coverage is free-to-air on ITV1 and available to stream without a subscription via the ITVX app. In the USA, the match airs on Fox or FS1, with full streaming available on FOX One for $19.99 per month after a three-day free trial.
How to Watch Argentina vs Cabo Verde with a VPN
If the match is not available in your region, a VPN allows you to access free coverage via ITVX, the UK broadcaster streaming the game at no cost.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom. A VPN lets you connect to a UK server, receive a British IP address, and access ITVX as if you were in the UK.
Here is how to do it:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in, or create a free account.
- Search for the Argentina vs Cabo Verde match and start streaming live.
Please note that using a VPN may be subject to a broadcaster’s terms of service. Always check the rules that apply in your country.
Argentina vs Cabo Verde Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Argentina Team News
Lionel Scaloni has managed Argentina since 2018 and delivered the nation’s most successful modern era, winning the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa America. His preferred system is a fluid 4-3-3 that can shift to a back five against stronger opponents.
Argentina entered the 2026 tournament ranked number one in the world on the June 11 rankings. They warmed up with wins over Honduras on June 6 in College Station and Iceland on June 9 in Auburn, before running through Group J without dropping a point.
Captain Lionel Messi, 38, was included despite a hamstring scare in the buildup, with Scaloni confirming it was not as serious as initially feared. Messi scored against Jordan in the group stage and sits three goals short of the all-time World Cup scoring record. Defender Cristian Romero was also included despite a knee ligament concern, a sign of how much Scaloni trusts his Qatar 2022 core.
The Albiceleste carry extraordinary tournament experience. Seventeen players from the Qatar 2022 squad remain in this group, including Emiliano Martinez in goal, the Golden Glove winner from that tournament and a penalty shootout specialist. Lautaro Martinez, with 36 international goals, leads the forward line, while Julian Alvarez scored four goals in the 2022 winning campaign and is in form at club level.
The engine of the side is the midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul, all of whom played major roles in the Qatar title run.
Cabo Verde Team News
Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, took over as Cape Verde coach in 2020 and earned the CAF Coach of the Year award in 2025. He earned 28 caps as a player for Cape Verde, captaining the national team for over a decade before moving into management.
Bubista built a disciplined and resilient team that qualified by topping their CAF group ahead of African heavyweights Cameroon. The decisive win came on October 13, 2025, with a 3-0 result over Eswatini at the Estadio Nacional in Praia.
At this World Cup, Bubista deployed a compact defensive system that frustrated Spain completely and gave Uruguay a scare before a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 39, has been extraordinary, keeping clean sheets against Spain and Saudi Arabia and earning recognition in Power Rankings.
Captain Ryan Mendes, 36, holds the national records for caps with 94 and goals with 22. He is likely playing in his only World Cup appearance and carries enormous symbolic weight for the nation. Striker Dailon Livramento scored the decisive goals in qualification, including the winner against Cameroon, and is the primary attacking threat heading into the knockout stage.
The midfield is organized around the discipline of Laros Duarte and Kevin Pina, who screen the back four and allow the wide attackers to break on the counter. Logan Costa, who returned from a long-term ACL injury to make the squad, anchors the centre of defence.
Argentina World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Geronimo Rulli, Juan Musso
- Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martinez, Leonardo Balerdi, Facundo Medina
- Midfielders: Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios, Valentin Barco
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez
Cabo Verde World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Vozinha, Marcio Rosa, CJ dos Santos
- Defenders: Stopira, Roberto Lopes, Joao Paulo, Diney Borges, Logan Costa, Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Kelvin Pires
- Midfielders: Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Jamiro Monteiro, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Telmo Arcanjo, Yannick Semedo, Garry Rodrigues, Willy Semedo, Helio Varela, Nuno da Costa
- Forwards: Gilson Benchimol, Dailon Livramento, Ryan Mendes
Argentina vs Cabo Verde Match Preview
This Round of 32 tie is one of the most dramatic pairings the expanded 2026 format could have produced, placing the mightiest force in world football against one of the smallest nations to have ever competed at the tournament.
Argentina arrived at Hard Rock Stadium having won all three group games and scored eight goals, with Messi operating at an extraordinarily high level for a player approaching his 39th birthday. Cabo Verde arrive with no World Cup victories but with something just as important: they have not lost a game at this tournament, and they have shown they can frustrate and disrupt top-ranked opposition.
The gap on paper is enormous. Argentina carry the world’s number one ranked squad, three World Cup titles, and a depth of quality that allows Scaloni to rotate without losing intensity. Cape Verde carry belief, discipline, a record-breaking goalkeeper, and an unbeaten campaign against opponents ranked far above what many predicted they could handle.
Tactical Outlook
Argentina are expected to dominate possession in a 4-3-3 and look to break down Bubista’s compact defensive block. Messi will drift from the right and look to combine with Lautaro Martinez, while Julian Alvarez provides the run in behind.
Cabo Verde will almost certainly sit deep, limit space between the lines, and rely on the pace of Ryan Mendes and the directness of Dailon Livramento on the counter. Vozinha will be tested heavily from crosses and set-pieces. The key tactical battle is whether Argentina can create quality chances against a defence that held Spain scoreless and kept Saudi Arabia out completely.
If Cabo Verde stay disciplined and catch Argentina in transition, the upset potential is real. Argentina’s counter-argument is Messi, who needs only one moment to decide a knockout game.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule (Round of 32 and Beyond)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2026 | Australia vs Egypt | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| July 3, 2026 | Argentina vs Cabo Verde | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| July 3, 2026 | Colombia vs Ghana | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| July 4, 2026 | Canada vs Morocco | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| July 4, 2026 | Paraguay vs France | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| July 5, 2026 | Brazil vs Norway | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| July 5, 2026 | Mexico vs England | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| July 6, 2026 | Spain or Austria vs Croatia or Portugal | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| July 6, 2026 | Belgium vs USA | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| July 7, 2026 | Argentina or Cabo Verde vs Australia or Egypt | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| July 9-11, 2026 | Quarterfinals | Various |
| July 14-15, 2026 | Semifinals | Various |
| July 19, 2026 | World Cup Final | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Argentina vs Cabo Verde takes place on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, with kick-off at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
This is a Round of 32 knockout match. The winner advances to the Round of 16, where they face the winner of Australia vs Egypt. The loser is eliminated from the tournament.
Cabo Verde went unbeaten in Group H with three draws: 0-0 vs Spain, 2-2 vs Uruguay, and 0-0 vs Saudi Arabia. They finished second behind Spain on goal difference, becoming the smallest nation by population to ever reach the World Cup knockout rounds.
Goalkeeper Vozinha is the key figure, having kept clean sheets against Spain and Saudi Arabia. Captain Ryan Mendes leads the attack, while Dailon Livramento provides the main goalscoring threat. If Cape Verde are to create an upset, Vozinha will need to be at his absolute best.
Using a VPN is generally legal in most countries, but it may be subject to a broadcaster’s terms of service. We recommend checking the rules that apply in your country before streaming with a VPN.
Messi scored at least one goal during Argentina’s group stage campaign and sits three goals short of the all-time Football World Cup scoring record entering the Round of 32.
