Cape Verde starting lineup vs Argentina: Bubista’s XI for the round of 32 game
Unbeaten in three matches, World Cup debutantes, Cape Verde now face the defending champions. Two players are expected to return to the line-up.
Of the four countries making their first appearance at the World Cup, only Cape Verde remain alive. The Blue Sharks have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, after having proved themselves as a very tough team to beat - as both Spain and Uruguay will tell you.
Cape Verde not only head into the knockout stage unbeaten, they also have the chance to cause the biggest upset of the competition so far. This evening in Miami, they face the defending champions Argentina - a team determined to continue into the next round with Leo Messi eager to add to his new record as the top scorer in World Cup history.
Head coach Bubista made just a couple minor tweaks to his starting XI in the group stage. Remaining faithful to his 4-3-3 system, the only real changes were in the left side of attack, with Jovane Cabral, Garry Rosrigues, Willy Semedo and Hélio Varela all occupying the left wing position. The changes were out of necessity - Cabral picked up an injury in the opener against Spain and watched the next two games from the bench but is back to face Argentina, with veteran striker Nuno da Costa making his first start, upfront alongside captain Ryan Mendes.
Similarly, at the back, left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral was handed a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards which meant he missed the final group game against Saudi Arabia but is now able to return.
Bubista is expected to field his strongest starting XI for the Round of 32 game against Argentina at Miami Stadium today, Friday, July 3. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. EDT / 3 p.m. PDT.
Cape Verde’s confirmed starting XI against Argentina at World Cup 2026
Vozinha; Lopes Cabral, Borges, Lopes, Moreira; Monteiro, Pina, Duarte; Cabral, Da Costa, Mendes
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