Cape Verde head coach Bubista has expressed confidence that his side can trouble defending champions Argentina when both teams face off in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday night.
The encounter, scheduled for 11 p.m. Nigerian time, has largely been tipped in Argentina’s favour. However, Cape Verde’s remarkable run to the knockout stage has made them one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages.
Making their World Cup debut, the Blue Sharks stunned football fans by holding Spain to a goalless draw in their opening Group H match before producing disciplined performances against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to finish second in the group and qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in the country’s history.
Bubista said his team remains focused on its strengths despite facing one of the tournament favourites.
“Since we arrived, we have trusted in our own way of working and in what we have done. If others did not respect us, that was their issue. We trust our work,” he said.
“We played our three group matches on merit and with the possibility of winning them. That is what we intend to do again tomorrow. We know the quality of our opponent, but we still have our dream, and we will continue to chase it.”
“Our main objective is to play a good match and try to get through to the next round.”
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Cape Verde’s disciplined defending, tactical organisation and fearless approach have earned widespread praise, but they face their toughest test yet against an Argentina side led by captain Lionel Messi.
Messi has scored six goals in the tournament as Argentina topped Group J with commanding performances that showcased both their attacking quality and defensive discipline. Coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad has combined experienced stars with emerging talents to remain among the strongest contenders for the title.
While Argentina enter the contest as overwhelming favourites, Cape Verde will hope to extend their fairytale campaign by producing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ghana will face Colombia in another Round of 32 fixture scheduled for 2:30 a.m. Nigerian time.
Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz said his team is determined to keep Africa’s hopes alive after several of the continent’s representatives exited the competition.
Of the nine African teams that reached the Round of 32, only Morocco have secured a place in the last 16 so far, while Algeria, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and South Africa have all been eliminated.
Egypt will also be in action on Friday when they take on Australia in a Round of 32 clash scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time.