Messi set to start as Argentina faces Switzerland in World Cup quarter-finals

By Blessing Adeyi — 11 July 2026 — 4 min read

Argentina prepares for quarter-final clash

Argentina is set to continue its World Cup defense today, facing Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Kansas City. The match will see Lionel Messi leading the Argentine squad, aiming for another knockout stage victory. Switzerland, making its first World Cup quarter-final appearance since 1954, will seek to achieve a significant upset against the reigning champions.

Argentina’s journey to this stage included narrow victories against Cape Verde and Egypt in the preceding rounds. The team hopes to deliver a more decisive performance in the upcoming match. The presence of Messi has generated considerable attention, with media presence significantly higher compared to a previous round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana.

The match is scheduled for a 9pm ET kick-off. Fans can watch the game on FOX or Fubo. The atmosphere outside the stadium indicates a strong Argentine presence, with Swiss team jerseys being a rare sight.

Squads and tactical approaches

Argentina’s starting lineup for the quarter-final includes E. Martinez, Tagliafico, L. Martinez, Romero, Molina, Paredes, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Alvarez, and Messi.

Switzerland’s starting XI features Kobel, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Zakaria, Freuler, Xhaka, Sow, Rieder, Embolo, and Ndoye.

Swiss manager Murat Yakin addressed the challenge of containing Messi, stating that the team will aim to perform as a unit, make good passes, and press high. Swiss captain Granit Xhaka acknowledged the difficulty of stopping Messi for the entire 90 minutes, emphasizing the need for a smart, compact defense that closes gaps and limits his space. Xhaka also noted the importance of maintaining possession to reduce Messi’s opportunities.

Argentina’s tactical approach often funnels possession through the middle, a strategy employed 34 percent of the time, which is the highest share among teams in the tournament. Much of their attacking play is designed to find Messi between the lines. However, this reliance on Messi can make their approach predictable, as demonstrated by Egypt’s success in neutralizing this strategy by packing the center.

Switzerland, known for its strong defensive capabilities, conceded only three shots on target in 120 minutes against Colombia, showcasing their ability to create a compact and difficult environment for opponents. Argentina will need to diversify its attacking patterns and rely on Messi’s supporting players to achieve a smoother performance. Additionally, Argentina has appeared vulnerable on counter-attacks, an area where Switzerland’s quick and direct players like Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo, and Ruben Vargas could pose a threat.

Switzerland’s run to the quarter-finals has been built on a rigid defensive structure, prioritizing positional discipline and taking few risks. Captain Xhaka, who plays for Sunderland, is a key figure in this system, organizing the midfield and ensuring players maintain their positions. The team’s coach, Yakin, has been with the squad for five years, fostering a strong understanding and clear identity within the team.

Match officials and historical context

The match will be officiated by Portuguese official Joao Pinheiro, marking his third appointment at this World Cup and his second involving Switzerland. Pinheiro, officiating in his first World Cup, previously showed a straight red card to Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in a group-stage match against Switzerland. He also refereed the UEFA Super Cup final between Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain last year.

This quarter-final marks the first World Cup encounter between Switzerland and Argentina since 2014, when Argentina secured a 1-0 victory in extra time during the round of 16 in Brazil, with Ángel Di María scoring the winner assisted by Messi. Xhaka, who participated in that match, expressed the team’s determination to win this time, highlighting a new team, mentality, and generation of players in Swiss football.

Switzerland enters the match unbeaten, having won four of its five games at this World Cup and drawing its opener against Qatar. Their recent round of 16 victory against Colombia came after a penalty shootout. Argentina, on the other hand, has faced challenges in its last two knockout matches, including a comeback victory against Egypt and a push to the brink of a penalty shootout against Cape Verde.

Both teams have a significant number of players from the 2022 World Cup, with 17 players each, representing the joint-highest share in the tournament. Argentina also leads among remaining teams in combined international caps with 1,251, slightly ahead of Switzerland’s 1,132. Furthermore, Argentina has scored nine left-footed goals in this World Cup, more than any other team, while scoring only two right-footed goals, the fewest among quarter-finalists.

Switzerland has not yet scored from a set-piece in this World Cup, making it the only quarter-finalist without a goal from such a situation. This could be a crucial area for them to exploit, especially if they spend extended periods defending. The Swiss are aware of Argentina’s ability to find ways to win in the final moments, and Xhaka has emphasized the need for his squad to maintain focus until the final whistle.

The match is set to begin at 9pm ET today.

Source: nytimes.com