Cape Verde lineup vs. Argentina: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 clash as Vozinha seeks another top showing

Expected to be busy, Vozinha will look to produce another magnificent showing against Argentina on Friday as Cape Verde aim to frustrate the world champions in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

The shot-stopper delivered one of the performances of the ages in the Blue Sharks' debut at the finals, when Bubista's side held the 2010 champions, Spain, to a goalless draw. 

Cape Verde have successfully overcome a major injury scare ahead of Friday's monumental World Cup knockout clash against the defending champions.

The Blue Sharks faced a real fright after Telmo Arcanjo, Jamiro Monteiro and Kevin Lenini all sustained issues prior to their final group fixture, though only Arcanjo's muscle problem has kept the midfielder out of action since.

With both Monteiro and Lenini shaking off their respective concerns to feature recently, Lenini is expected to anchor the midfield from a deeper position.

This will allow Monteiro and Deroy Duarte to push slightly further forward to complete a robust central trio.

At the back, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha will line up behind a settled defensive unit consisting of Steven Moreira, Pico, Diney Borges and Sidny Lopes Cabral.

Out wide, the creative burden will fall on wide attacker Jovane Cabral and Ryan Mendes, whose outstanding tally of 22 international goals far exceeds the rest of the squad.

Indeed, Mendes's goalscoring exploits look even more impressive when compared to teammate Garry Rodrigues's 10 strikes and frontline partner Dailon Rocha Livramento's overall count of six.

Livramento is poised to lead the line as the solitary centre-forward, and while he registered four goals during qualification, the forward is still hunting for his first-ever goal on the global stage.

Cape Verde possible starting lineup:

Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S. Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, J. Cabral; Livramento

> Click here to see how Argentina could line up against Cape Verde