Messi’s Argentina eye last-16 spot against Cape Verde

Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) in Florida, United States of America, gears up to host the Round of 32 fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where reigning world champions Argentina and African debutants Cape Verde lock horns in what is set to be a thrilling contest.

The do-or-die match will kick-off on Saturday at 4:00am (Bangladesh Standard Time). State-owned television channel BTV, private satellite sports channel T Sports and private satellite channel Somoy TV will telecast the match live

La Albiceleste began their World Cup campaign as if it were 2022 and they were still the world champions. After all, the reigning world champions, Argentina, are ranked number 1 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings and have been truly spectacular, winning three out of three games.

After thrashing Algeria 3-0, they defeated Austria 2-0 before scoring three against Jordan in the last game. They have conceded just one goal so far, and they are unarguably one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Lionel Scaloni would be delighted to add another jewel to his crown.

The world very well knows the existence of Cape Verde and their football team after they went on to shock everyone by finishing second in Group H. In the first game, they played a goalless draw against reigning Euro champions Spain before holding two time world champions Biesla’s Uruguay to a 2-2 draw.

In the last game, the Macaronesian nation played another goalless draw against Saudi Arabia and three points and three draws were enough to etch their names in golden letters. They became the first team in this century to make it past the group stages without a win. Chile achieved this feat back in 1998.

The winner of this game will lock horns with either seven-time AFCON champions Egypt or Australia in the Round of 16 clash in Atlanta Stadium on July 7, 2026.

The Round of 32 brings a fierce, knockout intensity where reputations matter less than 90 minutes of pure desire.

The tournament enters a phase where absolute underdogs can stun football giants. Fans can expect a thrilling, high-stakes battle where any result is possible and either side has everything it takes to win.