During the night of Thursday, July 2, the president of Cape Verde, Jose Maria Nevesassured that his national team will face the round of 32 match without “any fear” of the 2026 World Cup against Argentinawhich will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, Floridain front of more than 65 thousand spectators.
Faced with this scenario, according to Neves’ statements collected by a Cape Verdean public news agency, the Blue Sharksas the team of the African island country is popularly known, will play with “the same faith, hope, dedication and determination” that have allowed them to sign the better championship of its entire history.
“Our destiny in this World Cup is to face champions“said the head of state, in statements made in the Portuguese city of Coimbrawhere he is on an official visit, in reference to the fact that, in the group stage, Cape Verde also faced other two world champions, Spain and Uruguay, with whom they tied.
“We have no fear. We go with the same faith and hope, above all with the same energythe same commitment, the same character and the same determination with which we have built Cape Verde during these 50 years of the country’s independence,” continued the president, who maintained that his country could surprise in Miami.
What time does Argentina play?
The Argentine team will face its counterpart from Cape Verde this Friday, July 3, at 4:00 p.m. Guatemala timeat the Hard Rock Stadium, located in the city of Miami, Florida, where more than 65 thousand spectators will witness the meeting of the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, the last World Cup Lionel Messi.
For this party, the president of Cape Verde maintained that the statistics they will not be decisive against the Argentine team, current world champion, and stated that the result will depend on the attitude on the playing field. “Probabilities don’t count. What counts is the sweat that we left on the field,” José María stressed.
In turn, Neves expressed his wish that the goalkeeper Vozinha be elected again better player of the match and assured that, regardless of the result against Argentina, Cape Verde “has already cattle their World Cup” for their performance in the tournament. “We want to show our energyresilience and capacity,” added the Cape Verdean.
“If we can be among the best in football, we can also be among the best in healththe education and other areas. It important is to pursue excellence,” he concluded, after considering that the participation of the Blue Sharks has a worth that transcends and can serve as inspiration for the development of the country.
Cape Verde, the revelation that will challenge the Albiceleste
Argentina will begin the direct elimination phase of the 2026 World Cup against Cape Verde, one of the greats surprises of the tournament, which in its debut in a World Cup managed to get among the 32 best teams after finishing in second place in Group H, above Saudi Arabia and Uruguaytwo-time world champion.
The African team, led by Pedro Britobuilt a classification as particular as it was meritorious. He didn’t win any games, but he didn’t lose either. He debuted with a valuable goalless draw against Spain, then tied 2-2 with Uruguay and closed the group stage with another 0-0 against Arabia, results that were enough to advance.
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— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 3, 2026