Last Word on Football brings you the latest Argentina team news ahead of their World Cup Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde on Friday. La Albiceleste won all three of their Group J games, secured first place and set up this crucial knockout match in Miami Stadium, where talisman Lionel Messi plays his club football. Messi, again, is expected to be crucial and hungry for goals after Kylian Mbappe joined him at the top of the scoring charts. Having witnessed traditional powerhouses Germany and the Netherlands suffer defeat, manager Lionel Scaloni will be keen to see a professional performance against Cape Verde, currently ranked 64th in the FIFA World Rankings.
Here is the latest Argentina team news for their first knockout match.
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Argentina vs Cape Verde: Latest Argentina Team News
Date: Friday, 3 July 2026
Venue: Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens
Kick-off: 23:00 GMT
Referee: Drew Fischer
Current odds:
Argentina Team News
Cristian Romero suffered an injury in the 2–0 win over Austria and was not risked for the match against Jordan. However, the centre-back is set to return, replacing veteran Nicolas Otamendi.
Having secured qualification to the knockout stages after two matches, Scaloni had the luxury of resting a host of stars against Jordan.
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Those players, including Messi, who played just 30 minutes, are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Scaloni continues to face a selection dilemma in forward areas, but Lautaro Martinez’s performance in the final group game is likely to see him retain his starting berth.
Argentina Predicted Lineup
They set up in a 4-4-2 that provides a solid defensive block behind their superstar and gives him players to pick out or use as dummies when on the attack.
GK – E.Martinez
RB – Molina
CB – Romero
CB – Lisandro Martinez
LB – Medina
CM – Fernandez
CM – De Paul
CM – Mac Allister
RM – Messi
LM – Almada
ST – Lautaro Martinez
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Fotobaires
