World Cup 2026: President José Maria Neves backs Cape Verde to stun Argentina 1-0

Cape Verde president José Maria Neves has backed his outfit to stun Argentina in the upcoming 2026 World Cup round 32 clash.

The Blue Sharks will face the reigning world champions on July 4 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched knockout matches involving an African nation at the tournament.

Despite facing a star-studded Argentine side led by Lionel Messi, president Neves believes his country is capable of producing one of the biggest upsets of the competition.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Neves made it clear that Cape Verde would approach the match with ambition rather than fear.

“We came to the World Cup to write our own destiny, to face the champions,” Neves said while discussing the challenge awaiting his side against Argentina.

The Cape Verdean leader also highlighted the mentality and determination within the squad, expressing confidence that the players would give everything on the pitch for their country.

“They have 100% belief, 100% hope, and their shirts will be drenched with sweat,” he added.

Cape Verde have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, earning admiration for their discipline, resilience, and fearless performances on the world stage.

While Neves acknowledged the immense quality and pedigree of Argentina, he rejected suggestions that his nation should accept defeat before kickoff simply because of the opposition’s reputation.

Instead, he stressed that Cape Verde would enter the match with the objective of winning and continuing their remarkable World Cup journey.

In a bold prediction, the president even backed his side to edge the South Americans in a narrow contest.

“I believe Cape Verde can beat Argentina 1-0,” Neves declared.

The comments have further increased excitement ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, with Cape Verde hoping to continue their dream run against one of football’s most successful nations.

For Argentina, the match represents another step in their quest to defend the World Cup crown, while Cape Verde view the fixture as a historic opportunity to make an even bigger statement on the global stage.