Argentina have adjusted their preparations ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Cape Verde, choosing to remain at their training base in Kansas for an additional session before travelling to Miami for the knockout encounter.
The defending world champions will face the African side at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with head coach Lionel Scaloni altering the team’s original travel schedule to maximise preparation ahead of one of the most important matches of the tournament so far.
Under the initial itinerary, Argentina were due to travel to Miami a day before the fixture. However, Scaloni opted to keep his squad in Kansas for one final full training session before flying to Florida later the same day.
The session, held on Wednesday evening Bangladesh time, was expected to take place behind closed doors and represented Argentina’s final opportunity to rehearse tactical plans and assess player fitness before entering the knockout stage.
Following training, the Albiceleste were scheduled to leave Kansas City at around 2:00pm local time for Miami. The squad will complete a light training session on Thursday before taking on Cape Verde on Friday local time, which will be early Saturday morning in Bangladesh.
The revised schedule reflects Scaloni’s preference for uninterrupted preparation rather than arriving at the match venue earlier. In knockout football, where a single defeat ends a team’s campaign, every training session becomes increasingly significant, particularly when key selection decisions remain unresolved.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Argentina’s preparations is the composition of the starting XI. As has often been the case during his tenure, Scaloni has offered few clues regarding his preferred lineup.
During the section of training open to the media, the Argentina coach deliberately mixed likely starters with other squad members wearing identical bibs, making it difficult to identify the players expected to begin the match. The tactic has become a familiar feature of Scaloni’s approach, helping to keep opponents and the media guessing until shortly before kick-off.
Several positions remain under close consideration.
At left-back, Nicolás Tagliafico and Facundo Medina continue to compete for a starting berth. Tagliafico brings greater international experience, while Medina has impressed with his versatility and defensive consistency whenever given an opportunity.
There is also uncertainty in central defence. Cristian Romero is closing in on a return after recovering from injury, raising the possibility of reclaiming his place in the starting side. If the defender is deemed fully fit, Scaloni is expected to restore him to the heart of the defence. Otherwise, veteran Nicolás Otamendi could retain his place after filling in during Romero’s absence.
The most closely watched selection battle, however, concerns Argentina’s attack.
Lionel Messi is certain to captain the side, but his strike partner has yet to be confirmed. Scaloni must decide between Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, two forwards with distinctly different playing styles.
Lautaro offers a traditional centre-forward presence and is renowned for his movement inside the penalty area and clinical finishing. Álvarez, meanwhile, provides relentless pressing, intelligent link-up play and the versatility to operate across the front line. Argentine media reports suggest Lautaro currently has a slight advantage in the race for a starting place, although the coaching staff have not confirmed any decision.
Argentina enter the knockout rounds carrying the weight of expectation as reigning world champions. Under Scaloni, the team has earned a reputation for tactical discipline, defensive resilience and composure in high-pressure matches, qualities that were central to their World Cup triumph.
Cape Verde, however, are unlikely to be intimidated by the occasion. Having reached the knockout stage, they will see the meeting with Argentina as an opportunity to produce one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Knockout football has often delivered unexpected results, and Argentina know complacency could prove costly.
As preparations draw to a close, Scaloni’s final decisions on team selection could play a decisive role in determining Argentina’s progress. With one final training session completed before the journey to Miami, the Albiceleste are now focused on beginning the knockout phase with the authority expected of the defending champions as they continue their pursuit of another World Cup title.
