Argentina vs. Cape Verde squad comparison: Market values, most expensive players

Argentina face Cape Verde in the World Cup 2026 round of 32 on Friday night in what is deemed the biggest mismatch of all the ties by bookies.

Indeed, world champions Argentina are priced as short as 1/6 (1.17) to win, while relative minnows Cape Verde are as far out as 22/1 (23.00).

However, while the South American giants are clear favourites, Cape Verde have already upset the odds by reaching the knockouts on their World Cup debut, and they were undefeated in the group stage after holding European champions Spain to a draw alongside Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Nonetheless, it is interesting to see how both squads compare in terms of market values and their most expensive players, which we have explored in this article.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde squad value comparison

*all values from Transfermarkt

Argentina's total squad value is €807.50m (£691.54m), ranking them seventh in terms of all World Cup 2026 squads.

In contrast, Cape Verde's total squad value is only €54.50m (£46.67m), ranking them 47th of the 48 teams.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde most valuable players

Argentina's three most valuable players are Julian Alvarez (€100.00m/£85.6m), Enzo Fernandez (€90.00m/£77.1m) and Lautaro Martinez (€85.00m/£72.8m).

While Lionel Messi has undoubtedly been their star player at the World Cup with six goals so far, Martinez has also scored, while Alvarez played in all three group games and Fernandez started in two of them.

Cape Verde's three most valuable players are Logan Costa (€15.00m/£12.9m), Wagner Pina (€11.00m/£9.4m) and Kevin Pina (€5.00m/£4.3m).

The latter has scored one of two goals for the African nation at the World Cup, but goalkeeper Vozinha has perhaps made the biggest name for himself after his clean sheet against Spain.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde least valuable players

Cape Verde's three least valuable squad players are Vozinha (€50k/£42.8k), Stopira (€50k/£42.8k) and captain Ryan Mendes (€200k/£171.4k).

This is only by market value though, as Vozinha especially has shown how valuable he is in goal.

Argentina's three least valuable players are Nicolas Otamendi (€1.00m/£860k), Juan Musso (€3.00m/£2.6m) and Nicolas Tagliafico (€4.00m/£3.4m).

Otamendi played in every group game, while Tagliafico made two appearances and Musso is unsurprisingly yet to be used with Emi Martinez undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde: Transfer records

Argentina's most expensive player is Fernandez, who signed for Chelsea in 2022/23 for €121.00m (£103.62m).

He has been linked with a move away from the Blues this summer, so it will be interesting to see if he will command an even higher fee.

Cape Verde's most expensive player is Costa, who transferred to Villarreal in 2024/25 for €18.00m (£15.42m).