Argentina XI vs Cape Verde: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Holders out to reach last 16 but face surprise package

Lionel Messi and co. are looking to reach the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup when they take on Cape Verde.

Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina manager, shuffled his pack for the 3-1 win over Jordan, benching his captain and bringing in Julian Alvarez up front.

It was also all-change out wide, with Rodrigo De Paul and Thiago Almada replaced by Giovani Lo Celso and Giuliano Simeone.

Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister were also given a rest, with Nico Paz and Leandro Paredes coming into the side.

At the back, Exequiel Palacios was played out of position at right-back, while Nicolas Otamendi and Marcos Senesi started in the heart of defence.

Nicolas Tagliafico got a run-out at left-back in place of Facundo Medina.

The GOAT: Lionel Messi

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However, expect Scaloni to revert to type and go back to his preferred stars for this match, despite how heavy Argentina are as favourites.

That will mean Emi Martinez continues in goal - the ever-present so far - and Nahuel Molina is likely to come back in at right-back.

Medina will be restored on the left, with Premier League duo Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez in at centre-half.

There had been concerns over Tottenham defender Romero, who was taken off against Austria after suffering a knee injury, but he has been pictured back in training and should return here.

Mac Allister and Fernandez will join forces once more in the engine room, and De Paul and Almada remain Scaloni’s go-to pairing out wide, but he does have Nico Gonzalez and Simeone to call upon should he fancy shaking things up.

Up top, it is a no-brainer. Messi, but who partners him? Martinez has been preferred to Alvarez this tournament, and is likely to start once more after finding the net against Jordan.

Predicted Argentina XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Martinez

Date and time: 11pm BST on Friday, July 3, 2026

Venue: Miami Stadium, Florida