Cape Verde reach last 16, Argentina and the Mendes case loom

Round of 16 booked

Cape Verde are through. Your team has qualified for the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after those two draws against Spain and Uruguay (6). A nation that had never scored a World Cup goal before this tournament now walks into the knockout stage. The celebrations back home after the Uruguay draw told you everything, this means the world.

Argentina waiting in the next round

The opponent is Argentina (1) (5). Cape Verde have never faced a South American side at a World Cup, and now it is the holders. Nicolás Otamendi, who will set an Argentina caps record if he plays, had this to say about your team: he called Cape Verde a side that fights hard and plays compact (2). No dismissive quotes. Argentina are taking this seriously.

Martínez playing through a broken finger

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been playing with a fractured finger, revealing he broke it in training but will continue through the tournament (3). He has guaranteed he will be on the pitch against Cape Verde. A world-class keeper, but one carrying an injury into a knockout tie. Worth watching.

Ryan Mendes under investigation

A difficult story to report. Captain Ryan Mendes is under investigation in New Zealand following a rape accusation made by a Brazilian translator, filed in March 2026 (4) (6). FIFA acknowledged the situation Sunday and stated it is monitoring the matter (6). Mendes has not been suspended and remains available for selection. This will dominate headlines in the build-up to the Argentina match.