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World Cup 2026: Cape Verde prepare to face Messi's Argentina

Cape Verde, in their first-ever World Cup, take on Lionel Messi's Argentina in the last 32.

Cape Verde, in their debut World Cup, have already drawn with Spain and Uruguay and now they’re set for their biggest test yet, Lionel Messi's defending champions Argentina.

Playing ahead of their now famous 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, is Sidny Lopes Cabral, a defender who’s one of several Dutch-born players in a squad that has been taken liberally from the Cape Verdean diaspora.

He explains to Mani Djazmi his excitement ahead of facing Argentina and says they’re taking inspiration from Paraguay’s shock win over Germany.

More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

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