FIFA World Cup 2026 Squads, Stats & Preview, TV Channel, Online Live Stream & Predictions

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has urged the starters to remain calm as they try to avoid one of the biggest upsets of all time against unbeaten debutants Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup Round of 82.

Scaloni’s side progressed in calm fashion with nine points and the help of six goals from joint top scorer of the tournament Lionel Messi avoiding a surprise of the kind they suffered when Saudi Arabia beat them in the first leg of 2022.

« Teams usually change the way they play against us, » said stairswhose players face opponents who are 62 places below them in the FIFA rankings.

« They defend and attack differently. When things get tough, we’re ready to hang in there. That’s the most important thing. »

Cape Verde caused an immediate shock in the finals by drawing 0-0 with 2010 world champions and reigning European champions Spain in the first leg.

The Blue Sharks proved it was no fluke with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay and a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia ensuring they finished ahead of both nations.

« We will try to do the impossible because we have already come this far doing the impossible, » said Dini, a centre-back for UAE Professional League club Al-Bataeh, speaking to FIFA.

« We came here to compete with the best. Qualification is not enough; we want to go further. We have to be heroes.

« We will go out on the field knowing that the world will be watching. The main challenge is to stop Lionel Messi. »

The winners of the tie will face either Australia or Egypt, whose tie starts four hours earlier, in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday (5pm BST).

World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Cape Verde team news

Midfielder Telmo Arcaño is injured for Cape Verde, who could recover left-back Sidney Lopez Cabral from suspension.

Assistant coach Umberto Betancourt said Messi will not be marked by people. « We consider Messi a player who makes the difference, » he admitted, via Reuters.

« But we always look at the collective – the combinations that can be created, the spaces that they can try to open for Messi. »

Argentina will make plenty of changes after initially resting the likes of Messi and Alexis McAllister in their 3-1 win over Jordan in the third leg, as well as leaving first-choice players including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez on the bench.

Cristian Romero has returned to full training after a knee problem, but right-back Gonzalo Montiel is out with a hamstring injury.

Lautaro Martinez will keep his place ahead of Julián Alvarez and Facundo Medina could start at left-back in place of Nicolas Taliafico, according to Ole.