The Argentine national team wrapped up its last training session ahead of the crucial round of 16 match against Cape Verde in the 2026 World Cup. Held at the Florida Blue training grounds of Inter Miami, all 26 squad members called up by Lionel Scaloni participated actively, creating an air of anticipation.<\/p>\n
Lionel Messi, the team captain, was initially seen chatting with Claudio Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA). However, he quickly joined his teammates to partake in the session. Following a quick warm-up, the focus turned to ball work, divided into three stages featuring a dynamic exercise centered on speed and precision. One standout performer during the drills was Leandro Paredes, who visibly celebrated his successful strikes at the reduced goal.<\/p>\n
As the training progressed, the atmosphere shifted to a more playful segment, known as \u201cloco,\u201d where players aimed to maintain ball possession against each other. The fun extended to aerial ball play, leading to light-hearted reprimands for those who let the ball drop. Lisandro Mart\u00ednez and Cristian \u201cCuti\u201d Romero found themselves among the \u201cvictims\u201d of these jovial antics, reflecting the camaraderie and positive team spirit just hours before the big game.<\/p>\n
One notable feature of the training was the presence of physical trainer Luis Martin, who provided tailored instructions to players like Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, Cuti Romero, and Thiago Almada. Both \u00c1lvarez and Romero are working to regain peak performance following injuries. <\/p>\n
As for the team’s formation, Scaloni reportedly has only one defensive dilemma remaining: whether to start Nicol\u00e1s Tagliafico or Facundo Medina on the left side. While Tagliafico has shown an advantage in recent performances, both players are known for their capability to contribute defensively and offensively.<\/p>\n
Cuti Romero, who had previously withdrawn from the match against Austria due to knee discomfort, seems to be making great strides in training and is expected to replace Nicol\u00e1s Otamendi in the heart of the defense. Thiago Almada is positioned to provide depth in the midfield, supporting Messi in creative playmaking.<\/p>\n
The team traveled to Florida on Wednesday evening, with Scaloni scheduled to conduct a pre-match press conference alongside Rodrigo De Paul the following day. When discussing Cape Verde, Scaloni noted that they are a resilient squad that has yet to lose, mentioning their well-organized defense and potential for counterattacks.<\/p>\n
The eagerly awaited match against Cape Verde is set for Friday at 7 p.m. Argentine time at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. Should Argentina advance by defeating Cape Verde, they will face the victor of the Australia vs. Egypt match in the upcoming round.<\/p>\n
If all goes according to plan, Argentina is likely to field the following formation against Cape Verde:<\/p>\n
If successful, Argentina will continue its quest for glory in the World Cup, aiming to further assert its dominance on global football.<\/p>\n