Cape Verde are making history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 — and they are not finished yet. The debut side have already held Spain and Uruguay to draws in the group stage, and now they face the most daunting challenge of all: defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi.

Standing in front of the team's now-iconic 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha is defender Sidny Lopes Cabral, one of several Dutch-born players drawn from Cape Verde's global diaspora. Cabral spoke to BBC World Service's Mani Djazmi about the mood in the camp ahead of what promises to be the biggest match in the island nation's football history.

Inspiration from Paraguay's shock win

Rather than being overawed by the prospect of facing Messi and the world champions, Cape Verde are drawing confidence from elsewhere in the tournament. Paraguay's stunning victory over Germany has given the squad belief that upsets are possible — even against the very best.

Cabral described his excitement about the fixture, making clear that Cape Verde see the match not as a farewell but as an opportunity. The squad, assembled largely from players born in the Netherlands to Cape Verdean families, has already demonstrated it belongs at this level.

A diaspora squad on the world stage

Cape Verde's appearance at FIFA World Cup 2026 — held across Mexico, the United States, and Canada — represents a landmark moment for a nation of roughly 500,000 people. Their two draws have turned heads across the tournament, and Vozinha's performances in goal have earned him recognition far beyond the Atlantic archipelago he calls home.

With a point potentially separating qualification from elimination, the group decider against Argentina carries enormous weight. Yet if their opening results are any guide, Cape Verde will not be stepping onto the pitch simply to make up the numbers.