Cape Verde target 2026 World Cup upset over Argentina

The African side booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after a disciplined goalless draw against Saudi Arabia secured second place in Group H and extended their remarkable campaign.

Now awaiting them is a heavyweight clash against Lionel Messi's Argentina, but midfielder Deroy Duarte says Cape Verde are approaching the encounter with belief rather than fear.

For Duarte, reaching the knockout stage was never meant to be the end of the journey.

"Our first objective was to go to the World Cup, our second was to pass the group stage, and this is what we did," Duarte told the media as quoted by Pan African Football.

"Everything is an honour and a reward, and we see Argentina as a game like this - another chance to make history so why not? We will give everything and then at the end of the game we will see."

Cape Verde have already broken new ground by becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout rounds, but the squad believes their story does not have to end there.

Head coach Bubista backed his players' mentality and insisted his side would embrace the challenge against the South American giants.

"To us, nothing is impossible. We, the people of Cape Verde, have to be proud of what the team has done. First of all, we are proud to be able to play Argentina."

With expectations firmly on Argentina's shoulders, Cape Verde head into the encounter carrying little pressure - and the belief that another historic chapter could still be written.