Sofia Quijada
Argentina vs Cape Verde is a World Cup 2026 fixture scheduled for 3 July 2026, pitting the world’s top-ranked side against a Cape Verde team sitting 63 places below them at No. 64. The reigning world champions arrive in this round-of-16 tie on the back of a flawless group-stage campaign, while the Blue Sharks have navigated their way through with a resilient, unbeaten run of their own.
Head-to-Head Record
Argentina and Cape Verde have no recorded head-to-head meetings in international football. With no shared history to draw upon, the 3 July fixture will be the first competitive or friendly encounter between the two nations. Given the complete absence of prior meetings, recent form, squad depth and tournament momentum carry all the analytical weight here.
Argentina: Recent Form
Argentina’s current run is as dominant as any side at this tournament. They have won all six of their last matches — a W-D-L record of 6-0-0 — scoring 18 goals and conceding just 1, for an average of 3.00 goals scored and 0.17 conceded per match. That solitary goal against is the only blemish across a sequence that includes five clean sheets, and they have failed to score in none of those six outings. Their points-per-game rate across this stretch stands at a perfect 3.00. Their most recent outing was a 3-1 win away to Jordan on 28 June, following a 2-0 home victory over Austria and back-to-back 3-0 wins against Algeria and Iceland. Earlier in the run, a 5-0 demolition of Zambia underlined their attacking depth.
- 28 Jun 2026 — Argentina 3-1 Jordan (Away) — W
- 22 Jun 2026 — Argentina 2-0 Austria (Home) — W
- 17 Jun 2026 — Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Home) — W
- 10 Jun 2026 — Argentina 3-0 Iceland (Home) — W
Cape Verde: Recent Form
Cape Verde’s last six matches tell a story of defensive solidity and unbeaten resilience, even if their attacking output has been more measured. Their 2-2-4 W-D-L record (wins-losses-draws) across six matches — actually 2 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses — yields a points-per-game figure of 1.67. They have scored 9 goals and conceded 3, averaging 1.50 goals for and 0.50 against. Four clean sheets in six matches highlights their defensive organisation, though they have also failed to score in two of those fixtures. Their most recent result was a 0-0 home draw with Saudi Arabia on 27 June; before that, a 2-2 draw away to Uruguay and a goalless stalemate at Spain demonstrated they can hold their own against higher-ranked opposition. Earlier wins over Bermuda (3-0) and Serbia (3-0) showed they are capable of clinical performances when the opportunity presents itself.
- 27 Jun 2026 — Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia (Home) — D
- 21 Jun 2026 — Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Away) — D
- 15 Jun 2026 — Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (Away) — D
- 6 Jun 2026 — Cape Verde 3-0 Bermuda (Home) — W
Form and Record at a Glance
- Head-to-head: No previous meetings between Argentina and Cape Verde.
- Argentina’s last 6: 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses — a perfect record.
- Cape Verde’s last 6: 2 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses — unbeaten throughout.
- Argentina’s PPG: 3.00 | Cape Verde’s PPG: 1.67 across their last six matches.
- Goals scored: Argentina have netted 18 in six matches (avg 3.00); Cape Verde have scored 9 (avg 1.50).
- Clean sheets: Argentina have kept 5 clean sheets in 6; Cape Verde have kept 4 in 6.
- Goals conceded: Argentina have let in just 1 goal across six matches; Cape Verde have conceded 3.
How Argentina and Cape Verde Compare
The contrast in attacking output is the most striking statistical difference between these two sides heading into 3 July: Argentina’s average of 3.00 goals per match is exactly double Cape Verde’s 1.50, and their single goal conceded across six fixtures underlines a defensive record that few sides in the tournament can match. Cape Verde, for their part, have been exceptionally hard to beat — their four draws include a goalless result away to Spain and a 2-2 at Uruguay — and their own defensive numbers (0.50 goals conceded per match, four clean sheets) reflect a well-organised backline. Where Argentina have been relentlessly clinical, Cape Verde have relied on structure and discipline, making them a more nuanced opponent than their ranking alone might suggest.
FAQ
Have Argentina and Cape Verde ever played each other before?
No. There are no recorded meetings between Argentina and Cape Verde in international football, making their World Cup 2026 fixture on 3 July 2026 the first encounter between the two nations.
What is Argentina’s form heading into the match?
Argentina have won all six of their last matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding just 1, with five clean sheets — a points-per-game rate of 3.00 across that run.
What is Cape Verde’s form ahead of the World Cup 2026 fixture?
Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last six matches, recording 2 wins and 4 draws, with 4 clean sheets and a points-per-game rate of 1.67 — including draws against Spain and Uruguay.
Read Also: Argentina vs Cape Verde Prediction: 4 July 2026 World Cup Round of 32
Read Also: Argentina vs Cape Verde: Predicted Lineups for World Cup 2026
Read Also: Argentina vs Cape Verde Betting Odds Preview
When do Argentina and Cape Verde meet at World Cup 2026?
Argentina face Cape Verde on 3 July 2026 as part of the World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with Argentina entering as the world’s top-ranked side (No. 1) against Cape Verde (No. 64).