Argentina faces Switzerland in World Cup quarter-f...

By Rohan Gupta — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

Quarter-final showdown in the World Cup

Argentina is set to face Switzerland in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final. This match pits the defending champions against a Swiss side making their first appearance in the final eight since 1954. The winner will advance to a semi-final match against either Norway or England in Atlanta.

Argentina, having secured three World Cup titles previously, aims to become the first team to win consecutive titles. Their journey to the quarter-finals included navigating through the group stage and surviving two challenging knockout rounds. They overcame Cape Verde in extra time during the last 32 and then staged a comeback against Egypt in the last 16, trailing 2-0 until the 79th minute before Lionel Messi led a turnaround.

Switzerland, on the other hand, topped Group B, defeated Algeria in the last 32, and then prevailed against Colombia in a penalty shootout in the last 16. Their success in the tournament has been significantly impacted by the attacking contributions of Johan Manzambi, who has three goals and two assists in two appearances. However, Manzambi missed the last 16 match and is unavailable for the quarter-final due to a knee injury.

Key players and team changes

For Argentina, coach Lionel Scaloni has maintained the same starting XI that played against Egypt in the last 16. Lionel Messi is confirmed to start, marking his 205th appearance for the national team. Messi has been a pivotal player in the tournament, becoming the leading scorer in the history of the men’s tournament, reaching his 200th cap for Argentina, and maintaining a goal streak across six knockout matches dating back to the 2022 final.

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin has made one change to the team that faced Colombia. Midfielder Ardon Jashari is out, and Djibril Sow will take his place. Granit Xhaka, the captain of Switzerland, is expected to play a crucial role in the midfield. He is anticipated to be available and lead the team, with no reports indicating injury or suspension.

Xhaka has been a key figure throughout the World Cup, known for his leadership, passing ability, and experience in high-pressure matches. His calmness on the ball and ability to switch play are considered vital for Switzerland to compete against Argentina. Xhaka, Messi, and Ricardo Rodriguez were all part of the 2014 World Cup last 16 match where Argentina defeated Switzerland in extra time.

Switzerland‘s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, has quietly delivered strong performances, securing consecutive clean sheets in the knockout round and making 16 saves in total. This marks his first major tournament 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.

Tactical approaches and historical context

Argentina‘s fans are accustomed to dramatic matches, as seen in their 2022 World Cup victory where they lost a lead four times, including twice in the final against France. Coach Scaloni has emphasized the importance of heart in addition to tactics and strategies, particularly after their comeback against Egypt.

Switzerland faces a significant challenge in containing Messi. Granit Xhaka acknowledged the difficulty, stating that stopping him for the entire 90 minutes would be very hard. The Swiss plan involves playing compactly, closing gaps, and limiting Messi‘s space, while also aiming to maintain possession to reduce his involvement.

Historically, Argentina and Switzerland have met seven times, with Switzerland yet to secure a victory against Argentina. The match will determine which team advances to the semi-finals on Wednesday.