As defending champions Argentina prepare for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against debutants Cape Verde at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the squad is expected to revert to its strongest XI after extensive rotation in their final group fixture.
Having cruised through the group stage comfortably, La Albiceleste enters the knockout rounds firing on all cylinders.
Sportpesa Blog KE takes a look at the updated tactical breakdown and predicted lineup for Argentina’s knockout opener.
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The biggest storyline heading into the fixture remains the highly managed minutes of talismanic captain Lionel Messi.
Having already booked a place in the knockouts early, head coach Lionel Scaloni chose to start the 39-year-old on the bench for the final group match against Jordan to ensure his freshness for the elimination rounds.
Now back at his current home city of Miami, Messi is ready to reclaim his focal position in the attack, where he already leads the tournament’s golden boot race with six goals.
Argentina is projected to restore its full-strength spine. In defense, Cristian Romero is tipped to return to the heart of the backline alongside Lisandro Martínez after overcoming a minor knee knock.
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They will be flanked by Nahuel Molina on the right and Facundo Medina on the left to round out the back four shielding Emiliano Martínez.
Further up the pitch, the engine room welcomes back Rodrigo De Paul. The tireless midfielder, who has developed a lethal understanding with Messi at club level for Inter Miami, was completely rested last time out but is set to retake his spot in the central unit alongside Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister.
In the attacking setup, Thiago Almada is expected to operate in a creative role coming off the left, bridging the midfield with the frontline.
Up front, Lautaro Martínez looks set to spearhead the attack as the primary number nine, working in tandem with the roaming Messi to unlock a resilient Cape Verde defense that kept two clean sheets in the group stage.
Argentina predicted lineup against Cape Verde
Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026