Argentina is set to face Switzerland in a highly anticipated World Cup 2026 quarter-final match. The defending champions, Argentina, will be looking to continue their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles, while Switzerland aims to extend their best major tournament run in history.
The match will determine which team advances to Wednesday’s semi-final, where they will play against either Norway or England in Atlanta. This encounter pits the holders, with three World Cup victories, against a Swiss side that has never reached the last four of the tournament.
Team preparations and key players
Lionel Scaloni has opted for an unchanged starting XI for Argentina from their previous match against Egypt in the last 16. As expected, Lionel Messi will start, marking his 205th appearance for the national team. Messi has been in exceptional form throughout the World Cup, becoming the leading scorer in the history of the men’s tournament and reaching his 200th cap for Argentina. He has also maintained a goal streak across six knockout matches, dating back to the 2022 final.
For Switzerland, coach Murat Yakin has made one change from the team that played against Colombia, with midfielder Ardon Jashari out and Djibril Sow stepping in. There has been considerable discussion regarding the availability of Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka. Pre-match reports indicate that Xhaka is expected to play and lead his team, with no reports suggesting he is injured or suspended. Xhaka’s leadership, passing ability, and experience in high-pressure matches are considered vital for the Swiss side.
Gregor Kobel, the Swiss goalkeeper, has been a quiet but consistent performer, securing back-to-back clean sheets in the knockout rounds and making 16 saves in total. This marks his first major run with Switzerland since taking over from Yann Sommer after the 2024 Euros. Kobel also has prior experience in knockout tournaments, having played a key role in Dortmund reaching the Champions League final in 2024.
Paths to the quarter-finals
Argentina, after comfortably navigating the group stage, faced significant challenges in the knockout rounds. They narrowly escaped against Cape Verde in extra time during the last 32, requiring stoppage-time heroics and an own goal to avoid a major upset. In the last 16 against Egypt, they trailed 2-0 until the 79th minute before Lionel Messi spearheaded a comeback that saw them through to the quarter-finals.
Switzerland is making their first appearance in the World Cup final eight since 1954. As winners of Group B, they defeated Algeria in the last 32. They then emerged victorious from a tense last-16 match against Colombia, winning on penalties. A significant blow for the Swiss team 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 for this match due to a knee injury.
The historical head-to-head record between Argentina and Switzerland shows that the Swiss have never won in their seven previous encounters. A notable past meeting was in the 2014 World Cup last 16, where Argentina won in extra time on their way to the final. Lionel Messi, Granit Xhaka, and Ricardo Rodriguez, all of whom played in that 2014 match, are expected to be on the field again for this quarter-final.
Tactical considerations
Granit Xhaka discussed his approach to containing Lionel Messi, acknowledging the difficulty of stopping him for the entire 90 minutes. He emphasized the need for Switzerland to be smart, compact, and to close gaps to limit Messi’s space. Xhaka also noted the importance of maintaining possession to prevent Messi from being as active. His calmness on the ball and ability to switch play will be crucial if Switzerland hopes to challenge the defending champions.
Argentina will need more than just Lionel Messi’s brilliance; they will require sustained high-level performance. Coach Lionel Scaloni highlighted the importance of heart and determination, stating that while tactics and strategies are important, the team’s spirit was essential in their comeback against Egypt. The match is set to be a clash of styles, with Argentina’s sometimes chaotic emotional energy against Switzerland’s more process-driven approach.
The quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland is scheduled for July 11.
Read Also
Source: theguardian.com
