MATCH 86 Round of 32: Argentina vs Cabo Verde tickets

Argentina head to Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens to begin their knockout campaign against Cape Verde on July 3, with kickoff at 6 pm ET. As Group J winners and reigning world champions, Lionel Scaloni's side and captain Lionel Messi start as overwhelming favorites in a true David-versus-Goliath tie. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach this stage of a World Cup, are the story of the tournament — World Cup debutants who went unbeaten in the group to qualify behind Spain.

Miami Stadium, better known as Hard Rock Stadium and home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins, is one of the marquee venues of the tournament, with a shaded canopy over its 65,000 seats and a host of major knockout fixtures, including the third-place match. For Messi it is familiar ground — he won the 2024 Copa América final here and plays his club football in the city — and a passionate, vibrant South Florida crowd should make for a special atmosphere.

How to Buy Tickets for Argentina vs Cape Verde

Demand for World Cup fixtures will be high, and tickets are expected to move quickly once allocations open. In fact, our customer service team regularly hear from fans who want to know: How can I book World Cup tickets? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your trip to the host cities. And if your team goes all the way, you could be there for the World Cup final.

1. Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
2. Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
3. Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. Click on the green 'Buy' button.
5. Complete the order form using your personal details.
6. Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
7. Click 'Make Payment'.
8. The tickets are now yours!

Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!

Argentina vs Cape Verde Preview & Predictions

Argentina cruised through Group J, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Algeria and finding the net again in a 2–0 victory over Austria that sealed top spot. With qualification secured, Scaloni rested Messi and several starters for the final group game, keeping his stars fresh for a knockout run as the defending champions chase back-to-back titles.

Cape Verde have written one of the great World Cup stories. Appearing at the finals for the first time, the islanders went unbeaten in Group H, holding European champions Spain to a 0–0 draw, earning a brave 2–2 draw with Uruguay and seeing out a 0–0 with Saudi Arabia to finish second. Goalkeeper Vozinha has been the hero, with a string of outstanding displays keeping a nation of just over 500,000 dreaming.

Argentina are overwhelming favorites, with the quality and experience to win comfortably if they perform. But Cape Verde have already defied every expectation, are organized, fearless and well-marshaled at the back, and in Vozinha they have a goalkeeper in the form of his life. The Blue Sharks will sit deep, defend for their lives and hope to frustrate the champions — and few would bet against another twist in their fairytale.

Key Players to Watch

Argentina look, as ever, to captain Lionel Messi, who has set a new World Cup scoring record at this tournament and remains the difference-maker in the biggest moments. Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez offer a potent strike threat, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister control midfield, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez brings big-game pedigree behind a settled defense led by Cristian Romero.

Cape Verde's talisman is veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose heroics — including a seven-save clean sheet against Spain — have made him a global name at 40. Captain and record scorer Ryan Mendes leads the line, the experienced Jamiro Monteiro pulls the strings in midfield, and Kevin Pina offers pace and threat on the counter as the islanders look to spring the upset of the tournament.

Miami Stadium – Match Venue

Miami Stadium, officially Hard Rock Stadium, will host this Round of 32 tie in Miami Gardens on July 3. Opened in 1987 and home to the Miami Dolphins, it holds around 65,000 and is one of the marquee venues of the tournament, set just north of downtown Miami. Extensively renovated, it features a striking canopy that shades the seats while leaving the pitch open, and it will also stage a quarter-final and the third-place match later in the tournament.

The stadium regularly hosts the Miami Open tennis and the F1 Miami Grand Prix and has staged Super Bowls, so it is well used to the big occasion. South Florida's summer can be hot and humid with the chance of afternoon storms, but the late local kickoff and the shaded seating should make for comfortable conditions and a vibrant, colorful atmosphere.

How to Get to Miami Stadium for This Match

Miami Stadium is in Miami Gardens, around 16 miles north of downtown Miami. Public transport options are limited, with no direct rail link to the ground, so most fans rely on rideshare services, event shuttle buses or driving to get there. Tri-Rail serves nearby stations with onward connections on match days, and Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood (FLL) are both around 20 miles away.

For those driving, there is extensive parking around the stadium, though it is best booked in advance and traffic builds heavily on event days, so allow plenty of time. As ever, it's sensible to plan your return in advance, carry water for the Florida heat and humidity, and allow time for matchday security checks.

Miami Fan Guide for Match Day

Miami offers a vibrant, multicultural backdrop on match day, from the beaches and Art Deco of South Beach to the Latin energy of Little Havana and the bars and restaurants of Brickell and Wynwood. With a huge Latin American community, the city will feel almost like home for Argentina's enormous traveling support, and the build-up should be loud and colorful across the area.

Expect a sea of Argentine blue and white, with Messi a hero in a city he calls home, and a proud, joyous Cape Verde following relishing every moment of their first World Cup. With Miami's nightlife, food and beaches all on offer, it's well worth arriving early and soaking up one of the great party cities of the tournament.

Road to the Round of 32: Argentina & Cape Verde

The two teams could hardly have arrived here by more different routes. Argentina won Group J at a canter, beating Algeria 3–0 with a Messi hat-trick and Austria 2–0 to secure top spot, before resting their captain and several regulars in the final group game with qualification already wrapped up. The defending champions go through looking ominously strong.

Cape Verde made history. The World Cup debutants drew all three group games — 0–0 with Spain, 2–2 with Uruguay and 0–0 with Saudi Arabia — to finish second in Group H, unbeaten, and become the smallest nation by population ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. Goalkeeper Vozinha's brilliance was at the heart of a campaign that captivated the football world.

It is the ultimate David-versus-Goliath tie: the reigning champions and Lionel Messi against a fairytale island side appearing at their first World Cup. Argentina start as huge favorites and will expect to march on, but Cape Verde have already rewritten the script once, and they will travel to Miami believing in one more miracle.