Cape Verde head coach Pedro Leitao Brito is confident ahead of his team's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Argentina, saying his players are ready for the challenge and will play with confidence as they aim to reach the Round of 16. Speaking before the knockout clash, Brito said that his team would not be feared by the defending champions and would instead focus on their own game, approaching the contest with belief and determination.&nbsp;"There's belief and conviction, and that's very helpful," Brito said, as quoted by ESPN.&nbsp;He added that Cape Verde will play fearless football while staying disciplined throughout the match.&nbsp;"We will play with courage. We will be bold and fight for the qualification. We want the players to enjoy the match, but to be focused and do everything to go to the next phase," he said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-germany-s-julian-nagelsmann-resigns-after-shock-world-cup-r32-exit-1783072983930">FIFA 2026: Germany's Julian Nagelsmann resigns after shock World Cup R32 exit</a>&nbsp;Brito said that the team believes in its strengths and is confident it can challenge Argentina despite knowing the match will be difficult.&nbsp;"Of course we believe. We believe in ourselves and our strengths, our players and our team. We know this will be a very difficult game, but we can hurt our opponent. We are brave and ambitious and we will play to win," he added. We as a team have our own strategy, not only against Messi but the whole team," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They are the current world champions and one of the best teams in the tournament. We will play against the whole team. We know Messi is one of the best players in the world, but we play against the whole team.”

Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live on Zee5

Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-wc-2026-argentina-vs-cabo-verde-r32-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1783071553923">FIFA WC 26, Argentina vs Cabo Verde R32: Where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Cape Verde, the smallest country ever to qualify from the group stage of a FIFA World Cup, will face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 in Miami on Saturday (IST).&nbsp;The winner of the match will secure a place in the Round of 16 and move a step closer to the FIFA World Cup title.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito said that his team will face Argentina with belief and courage as they aim to reach the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Cape Verde head coach Pedro Leitao Brito is confident ahead of his team's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Argentina, saying his players are ready for the challenge and will play with confidence as they aim to reach the Round of 16. Speaking before the knockout clash, Brito said that his team would not be feared by the defending champions and would instead focus on their own game, approaching the contest with belief and determination. "There's belief and conviction, and that's very helpful," Brito said, as quoted by ESPN. He added that Cape Verde will play fearless football while staying disciplined throughout the match. "We will play with courage. We will be bold and fight for the qualification. We want the players to enjoy the match, but to be focused and do everything to go to the next phase," he said. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Germany's Julian Nagelsmann resigns after shock World Cup R32 exit Brito said that the team believes in its strengths and is confident it can challenge Argentina despite knowing the match will be difficult. "Of course we believe. We believe in ourselves and our strengths, our players and our team. We know this will be a very difficult game, but we can hurt our opponent. We are brave and ambitious and we will play to win," he added. We as a team have our own strategy, not only against Messi but the whole team," he said. “They are the current world champions and one of the best teams in the tournament. We will play against the whole team. We know Messi is one of the best players in the world, but we play against the whole team.”

Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito said that his team will face Argentina with belief and courage as they aim to reach the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'We'll play with courage,' says Cape Verde coach ahead of Argentina clash

Cape Verde played three matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026, winning none, losing none, and drawing all, qualifying for the knockouts in a historic feat. Drawn in Group H alongside two former World Cup winners, Spain and Uruguay, and also notorious giant killers Saudi Arabia, Verde was expected to finish dead last -- interestingly, they did not and qualified for the knockouts.<h3>Cape Verde’s unique path to the Round of 32</h3>Imagine finishing second in a group consisting of Spain and Uruguay. It’s Cape Verde, the third tiniest country (population-wise), and their players’ will that withstood this challenge and all odds to advance to the next stage. &nbsp;Starting against Spain, Cape Verde announced its arrival on the world stage by restricting the 2010 world champions from scoring and eventually playing out a scoreless draw. While Spanish fans, players, and even coaches sounded disappointed by this missed chance, Verde found a new hero in their goalkeeper, the 40-year-old Vozinha.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/death-threats-different-balls-one-winner-inside-the-chaotic-1930-world-cup-final-1782553265187">Death Threats, Different Balls, One Winner: Inside the chaotic 1930 World Cup final</a> &nbsp;The country celebrated that draw like a World Cup win, with the fans taking to the streets and social media buzzing for the unlikely hero Vozinha. His presence on the internet grew massively, with a surge in his Instagram following that surpassed some of the biggest names worldwide, including Manuel Neuer. &nbsp;Next up was Uruguay, and Cape Verde created history against them by scoring its first-ever World Cup goal, adding one more soon after. Cape Verde also conceded twice and finished 2-2.&nbsp; &nbsp;After Spain, they denied Uruguay a chance to secure a win and make any impression on the points table. However, after Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second game, they took an unassailable lead, leaving three teams to fight for the remaining spot.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

<h3>Draw against Saudi Arabia and history</h3>Not a win, nor a loss, just a draw, at least – this was Cape Verde’s possible and best way to finish second and qualify for the World Cup knockouts. Against Saudi Arabia in their final group stage game, they did exactly what was asked of them, playing another gritty draw and entering the record books.&nbsp;IN PICS| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dutch-1974-brazil-1982-5-greatest-football-teams-to-never-win-the-fifa-world-cup-1782554407328">Dutch '74, Brazil '82: The 5 greatest football teams to never win the FIFA World Cup</a> &nbsp;By simply refusing to accept defeat, Cape Verde knocked out South American giants Uruguay and Saudi Arabia without even winning against them.<h3>Planning and power of diaspora</h3>Although their success looks like an overnight miracle, Cape Verde’s road to the World Cup knockouts was built on careful and long-term planning away from the spotlight. &nbsp;Over the years, the Cape Verdean Football Federation (FCF) embraced its vast international diaspora to bolster and form the national squad for the World Cup. Of the 26 squad players picked for this showpiece event, 14 were born outside of the country, including six raised in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Blending the European talent with local love for the game, Cape Verde formed a squad and made it to North America. &nbsp;The reward? A dream Round of 32 tie against the defending world champions, Argentina, on July 3, 2026, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.&nbsp;

Against all odds, Cape Verde makes history at the FIFA World Cup 2026! Discover how tactical brilliance and diaspora power fueled their miracle run to the Round of 32.

Cape Verde played three matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026, winning none, losing none, and drawing all, qualifying for the knockouts in a historic feat. Drawn in Group H alongside two former World Cup winners, Spain and Uruguay, and also notorious giant killers Saudi Arabia, Verde was expected to finish dead last -- interestingly, they did not and qualified for the knockouts. Cape Verde’s unique path to the Round of 32 Imagine finishing second in a group consisting of Spain and Uruguay. It’s Cape Verde, the third tiniest country (population-wise), and their players’ will that withstood this challenge and all odds to advance to the next stage. Starting against Spain, Cape Verde announced its arrival on the world stage by restricting the 2010 world champions from scoring and eventually playing out a scoreless draw. While Spanish fans, players, and even coaches sounded disappointed by this missed chance, Verde found a new hero in their goalkeeper, the 40-year-old Vozinha. Also read| Death Threats, Different Balls, One Winner: Inside the chaotic 1930 World Cup final The country celebrated that draw like a World Cup win, with the fans taking to the streets and social media buzzing for the unlikely hero Vozinha. His presence on the internet grew massively, with a surge in his Instagram following that surpassed some of the biggest names worldwide, including Manuel Neuer. Next up was Uruguay, and Cape Verde created history against them by scoring its first-ever World Cup goal, adding one more soon after. Cape Verde also conceded twice and finished 2-2. After Spain, they denied Uruguay a chance to secure a win and make any impression on the points table. However, after Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second game, they took an unassailable lead, leaving three teams to fight for the remaining spot.

Against all odds, Cape Verde makes history at the FIFA World Cup 2026! Discover how tactical brilliance and diaspora power fueled their miracle run to the Round of 32.

No Wins, No Losses, No Problem: Cape Verde’s unique path to World Cup knockouts

cape-verde-vs-argentina

Cape Verde Vs Argentina, News on Cape Verde Vs Argentina, stories on Cape Verde Vs Argentina, articles on Cape Verde Vs Argentina, Cape Verde Vs Argentina stories at Wion, Cape Verde Vs Argentina news, Cape Verde Vs Argentina latest news

cape verde-vs-argentina

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'We'll play with courage,' says Cape Verde coach ahead of Argentina clash

No Wins, No Losses, No Problem: Cape Verde’s unique path to World Cup knockouts