Argentina and Switzerland have announced their starting line-ups ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals in Kansas City on Sunday night.
The reigning champions turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 draw against Egypt in the last eight – with twelve minutes left of regulation time. Die Nati kept a clean sheet for the second game in a row against Colombia, before winning 4-3 on penalties.
The winner of this clash will face England in the semi-finals in Atlanta on Wednesday night.
World Cup 2026: Argentina’s confirmed squad against Switzerland
Gonzalo Montiel must avoid a yellow card – otherwise a suspension awaits.
Argentina’s starting eleven: Emiliano Martínez – Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico – Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández – Lionel Messi, Julián Álvarez.
Substitutes: Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico González, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López, Lautaro Martínez.
World Cup 2026: Switzerland’s full line-up against Argentina
Johan Manzambi had three goals and four assists in the World Cup before he injured his left knee and had to sit out the Colombia game. The 20-year-old is still out. Defender Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer have muscle injuries, while Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim are one warning away from suspension.
Switzerland starting eleven: Gregor Kobel – Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez – Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Djibril Sow, Fabian Rieder – Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye.
Substitutes: Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller, Miro Muheim, Silvan Widmer, Eray Cömert, Aurèle Amenda, Luca Jaquez, Ardon Jashari, Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, Ruben Vargas, Noah Okafor, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten.
How to watch Argentina-Switzerland: TV channel and streaming
Kick-off on Sunday at 03:00 Norwegian time. In the UK, the fight will be broadcast on ITV1 and streamed via ITV’s website and the ITVX app – available on a range of devices.
World Cup 2026: Argentina–Switzerland – key figures
- Argentina are unbeaten in 11 World Cup matches – the team’s longest streak ever.
- They have scored in 14 straight World Cup games, since the 0-3 loss to Croatia in 2018.
- With at least two goals in 11 consecutive games, Argentina equals Uruguay (1930-1954) for the longest multi-goal streak in World Cup history.
- Messi became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup finals against Egypt – but his penalty miss makes him the only player in history to miss two penalties in a World Cup.
- Messi’s eight goals in the 2026 edition are the most of anyone before the quarter-finals. Only Brazilian Ademir (9 in 1950) has scored more in a World Cup among South Americans.
- Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in seven attempts in all competitions. Only against Russia do they have a worse streak without a win (12 games).
- Switzerland is the only team that has never been down in the 2026 World Cup – including qualification.
- In 10 World Cup matches against South American teams, Switzerland has one win (3 draws, 6 losses). The victory came against Ecuador in 2014 (2–1), but they beat Colombia in the last eight.
- Breel Embolo has been involved in 13 goals in his last 17 international matches – 11 goals and 2 assists.
