Argentina face Cape Verde in a World Cup 2026 last‑32 tie that kicks off at 6 pm local time.
Messi will appear in his 30th World Cup match, extending his own record, while Lautaro Martínez starts up front and Julian Álvarez moves to the bench.
Key Facts
- Kick‑off is at 6 pm local (8 am AEST, 11 pm BST).
- Messi will play his 30th World Cup match, a men’s record.
- Lautaro Martínez starts in attack; Julian Álvarez is on the bench.
- Cape Verde midfielder Telmo Arcanjo is on the bench after a leg injury.
- Sidny Lopes Cabral returns from suspension to start at left‑back.
What happens next?
The match will begin at the scheduled time, and the result will decide which team advances to the round of 16.
Who is affected?
Messi’s appearance adds a historic note for Argentina, while Cape Verde’s lineup changes reflect recent injury and suspension issues.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- Kick‑off time and time‑zone conversions.
- Messi’s 30th World Cup appearance.
- Starting line‑up choices for Argentina and Cape Verde.
Still unconfirmed:
- The final score and match outcome.
- Any injuries or tactical changes after kick‑off.
- Reactions from coaches or officials.
Understanding the lineup and historic context helps fans gauge the significance of the match.
Watch for the live result and post‑match analysis to see how the teams progress.