Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026

Stage: Quarter Final 

Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Kick Off: 9pm ET / 2am BST Sunday July 12

Tonight is the last quarter final of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Argentina take on Switzerland in Kansas City. Win and you go to the semi finals. Lose and you go home. Messi is on fire. Switzerland have a plan. Something big is coming tonight.

How Argentina Got Here

Argentina won their group with 9 points and it looked like they were comfortable. Then the knockout rounds made things very tough for them very fast.

They were looking for an extra time in order to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32. Then against Egypt in the Round of 16 they were losing 2-0 with 11 mins left. Most people thought they were done. 

They were not. Romero scored. Messi equalised. Fernandez headed the winner in extra time. Argentina won 3-2 in one of the greatest comebacks this World Cup has seen.

They have not lost a World Cup game since 2022. That unbeaten run now stands at 11 games.

How Switzerland Got Here

Switzerland have been quiet but brilliant. They have not trailed in a single game at this entire tournament. Not even for one minute.

They beat Algeria in the Round of 32 and held Colombia to a 0-0 draw in the Round of 16 before winning the penalty shootout 4-3. Clean. Disciplined. Solid.

This is Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter final in 72 years. The last time they were here was 1954 when they hosted the tournament. 

Tonight they want to go further than any Swiss team has gone in over seven decades.

Head to Head

Switzerland has never beaten Argentina. Ever. In all their meetings Argentina have won five times with two draws. Argentina have scored 15 goals across all those games. Switzerland have scored just three.

History is firmly against Switzerland tonight. But football is played on the pitch not in the history books.

Team News

Argentina

They are fully fit, no injuries, no suspensions. Every player is on the pitch, Scaloni picks from a full squad tonight.

Switzerland

Johan Manzambi is their best young player who has scored 3 goals at this tournament and is doubtful with a knee injury. 

He missed the Round of 16 and his fitness for tonight is still not sure. Losing him would be a major blow. Michel Aebischer & Luca Jaquez are also out with injury.

Players to Watch out for

01. Lionel Messi – Argentina

8 goals at this World Cup. Curently the tournament’s top scorer. He is 38 years old and still the best player here. 

He scored the equaliser against Egypt when Argentina were almost out of the tournament. Shows up in the biggest moments every time.

02. Granit Xhaka – Switzerland

The heart of the Swiss team. He wins the ball, organises his teammates, and never hides under pressure. If Switzerland causes an upset tonight, Xhaka will be the reason why.

03. Julian Alvarez – Argentina

Tireless, Rough and always in the right place when needed. Plays with Messi and scores when the chance presents itself. Switzerland cannot afford to take their eyes off him for a second.

04. Breel Embolo – Switzerland

Leads the Swiss attack. Physical, clever, and works hard for every ball. His job tonight is to solve Argentina’s defence problems and he is more than capable of doing exactly that.

Expected Line Ups

Argentina

Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez

Switzerland

Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Sow, Vargas; Embolo

Key Numbers

How to Watch

USA: Fox Sports — Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish
UK: ITV1 and ITVX free at 2am Sunday
Argentina: TyC Sports
Switzerland: SRF, RSI and RTS
Everywhere else: Check your local listings

Our Predictions

Argentina are the better team and Messi is the best player at this tournament. But Switzerland are organised, disciplined, and have never been beaten at this World Cup. This will not be easy for Argentina.

Messi will score. Argentina will win. But Switzerland will make them work very hard for it.

• Argentina to win
• Both teams to score — Yes
• Over 2.5 goals
• Lionel Messi to score at any time