Cape Verde President José Maria Neves has voiced strong confidence in his national team’s chances ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 meeting with Argentina, insisting the Blue Sharks are capable of producing a major upset against the reigning world champions.
Speaking before the knockout tie, Neves said he believes Cape Verde have what it takes to overcome one of football’s most successful nations and progress further in the tournament.
He went as far as to declare absolute belief in victory, saying the team are fully prepared to challenge Argentina on the biggest stage.
“We have 100% chance of beating Argentina. We came to this World Cup to write our own destiny by taking on the champions,” the president said.
Neves also offered a specific prediction for the match, suggesting Cape Verde could secure a narrow win over the favourites in what would be one of the biggest shocks of the competition.
“I believe we can beat Argentina 1-0. We play to win,” he added.
His comments reflect a broader sense of ambition from the Cape Verdean leadership, who view the World Cup as an opportunity for the nation to establish itself on the global football stage despite being considered underdogs.
Neves acknowledged that expectations for Cape Verde remain relatively low compared to other teams in the tournament. However, he insisted that determination and belief can play a decisive role in overcoming more established opponents.
“When expectations for a team are low, but that team has the determination to win, anything is possible,” he said.
The president also highlighted Cape Verde’s identity as a small nation that has often defied expectations in international football, suggesting that the team thrives when given little chance of success.
“A small country like Cape Verde should always strive to do exactly that: keep surprising people.”
Cape Verde’s clash with Argentina presents one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 32, with a place in the last 16 of the World Cup at stake.
The Blue Sharks will face a stern test against a side widely regarded as one of the tournament favourites, but Neves remains publicly confident that his team can deliver a historic result.
The meeting represents a significant moment for Cape Verde football, with the nation seeking to continue its journey in the competition by overcoming one of the sport’s most decorated teams.
As anticipation builds, the president’s remarks have added further intrigue to the fixture, reinforcing belief within the country that an upset against Argentina is possible despite the scale of the challenge.
Cape Verde will now attempt to translate that optimism into performance on the pitch when they face the world champions for a place in the Round of 16.
