Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, are on track to meet either Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That matchup would pit Lionel Messi, who recently broke the all-time men’s World Cup goal-scoring record, against a team that has already delivered one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.
Cape Verde’s Cinderella run and the bracket picture
Argentina is projected to top their group, which would line them up against the runner-up from Group H. That group features Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia.
Cape Verde drew Uruguay 2-2 and held Spain to a 0-0 stalemate. A win over Saudi Arabia on June 26 would send Cape Verde through to the knockout stage, potentially setting up a clash with Messi and Argentina.
Saudi Arabia’s stunning group-stage upset of Messi’s side at the 2022 tournament in Qatar remains one of the most shocking results in World Cup history. A rematch in the knockout rounds would carry a very different kind of narrative weight.
