Argentina faces Switzerland in World Cup 2026 quarter-final

By Rohan Gupta — 11 July 2026 — 4 min read

Argentina is set to face Switzerland in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, with both teams having navigated challenging paths to reach this stage. The match will determine which side advances to the semi-final against either Norway or England in Atlanta.

For Argentina, the journey to the quarter-finals included overcoming two significant scares in the knockout rounds. They first survived an extra-time encounter against Cape Verde in the last 32, which required late heroics and an own goal to avoid a major upset. Following this, they trailed Egypt 2-0 until the 79th minute in the last 16 before Lionel Messi spearheaded a comeback that secured their spot in the quarter-finals.

Lionel Scaloni has opted for an unchanged starting XI from the team that mounted the fightback against Egypt. As anticipated, Lionel Messi will start, marking his 205th appearance for the national side. Messi has been a pivotal figure in this World Cup, becoming the leading scorer in the men’s tournament’s history, reaching his 200th cap for Argentina, and maintaining a goal streak across six knockout matches, dating back to the 2022 final.

Switzerland, making their first appearance in the World Cup final eight since 1954, also faced tough competition. They emerged as winners of Group B, then defeated Algeria in the last 32. Their last-16 match against Colombia was a tense affair, ultimately decided by penalties. A notable challenge for Switzerland is the absence of 20-year-old Johan Manzambi, who has three goals and two assists in two appearances but missed the last 16 and is out again due to a knee injury.

Key player updates for Switzerland

Murat Yakin has made one change to the Swiss starting XI from their match against Colombia, with midfielder Ardon Jashari out and Djibril Sow stepping in. A significant question mark for fans ahead of the match was the availability of Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka. Latest pre-match reports indicate that Xhaka is expected to start, leading the team as they aim for a major upset.

Granit Xhaka is considered the heart of Switzerland’s midfield and one of their most experienced players. The 33-year-old captain has played a crucial role throughout the World Cup. His leadership, passing ability, and experience in high-pressure matches are seen as vital for the Swiss side, especially against a strong Argentina team.

Xhaka’s career includes representing top European clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen, where he has won major domestic trophies. His extensive experience at both club and international levels is a significant asset for Switzerland heading into this quarter-final. He is expected to control possession, manage the tempo, and organize the midfield.

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has also been a quiet but effective performer for Switzerland, recording back-to-back clean sheets in the knockout rounds and making 16 saves in total. This marks his first major run with Switzerland, having taken over from Yann Sommer after the 2024 Euros. His previous experience includes leading Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024.

Historical encounters and tactical considerations

The two nations have met seven times previously, with Switzerland yet to secure a victory against Argentina. One of their more memorable encounters was in the 2014 World Cup last 16, where Argentina won in extra time before reaching the final. Lionel Messi, Granit Xhaka, and Ricardo Rodriguez, who all played in that 2014 match, are expected to be on the field again for this quarter-final.

Regarding the approach to stopping Lionel Messi, Granit Xhaka acknowledged the difficulty, stating that it would be very challenging to stop him for the entire match. He emphasized the need for Switzerland to be smart, compact, close gaps, and limit Messi’s space. Xhaka also mentioned the strategy of maintaining possession to prevent Messi from being as involved in the game.

Argentina, while relying on Lionel Messi’s brilliance, will need a collective high-level performance for extended periods. Coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the importance of heart and emotion in football, noting that these elements were crucial in their comeback against Egypt. The winner of this match will advance to the semi-final on Wednesday.