Argentina’s Quarter-Final Opponent Is Confirmed: Switzerland
Argentina survived a Round of 16 scare against Egypt, coming from two goals down to win 3-2 on Tuesday, 7 July. That result, combined with Switzerland’s penalty shoot-out win over Colombia the same day, has set up the reigning champions’ quarter-final: Argentina vs Switzerland, Saturday, 11 July, in Kansas City.
| Stage | Fixture & Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 (7 July) | Argentina 3-2 Egypt | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Round of 16 (7 July) | Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (Switzerland win 4-3 on penalties) | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Quarter-Final (11 July) | Argentina vs Switzerland, 9:00 PM ET | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
How Argentina Reached the Quarter-Finals
Egypt led for over an hour in Atlanta and looked set to knock the holders out. Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt in front in the 15th minute, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir then saved a Lionel Messi penalty just after the half-hour mark.
- Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt’s lead in the 67th minute
- Cristian Romero headed Argentina back into the tie in the 79th minute
- Messi levelled it himself in the 83rd minute
- Enzo Fernández scored the winner two minutes into stoppage time
Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan and several players criticised the officiating afterwards, pointing to a disallowed Zico goal and a waved-away penalty appeal late on. It was Argentina’s second straight comeback win in the knockout rounds, having also come from behind to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32.
Argentina’s Road So Far
Argentina arrived at the 2026 World Cup as the reigning champions, having lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022. Lionel Messi remains central to the side and is among the tournament’s leading scorers, despite missing two penalties in this edition — a World Cup record.
With Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Enzo Fernández also in form, Lionel Scaloni’s side have needed late drama twice already to stay alive. They now turn to a Switzerland team that has conceded nothing in 90 minutes of knockout football.
The Team Standing in Argentina’s Way
Switzerland have been the quietest team left in the tournament, and one of the hardest to break down. They went through the group stage unbeaten and have not conceded a goal in regulation time in either of their knockout matches.
Colombia pushed them all the way in Vancouver, hitting the crossbar twice in extra time, but the game stayed goalless after 120 minutes. Switzerland then won the shoot-out 4-3, with Rubén Vargas striking the decisive penalty after Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez hit the bar and Cucho Hernández was saved by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The Matchup: Kansas City on 11 July
Argentina vs Switzerland kicks off at 9:00 PM ET on Saturday, 11 July, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. For fans following from the Middle East and South Asia, that falls in the early hours of Sunday, 12 July.
| Location | Local Kickoff Time |
|---|---|
| UK | 2:00 AM, Sunday 12 July |
| Saudi Arabia | 4:00 AM, Sunday 12 July |
| Egypt | 4:00 AM, Sunday 12 July |
| UAE | 5:00 AM, Sunday 12 July |
| Pakistan | 6:00 AM, Sunday 12 July |
| India | 6:30 AM, Sunday 12 July |
Planning to follow the champions in person? Compare flights to Kansas City and hotels in Kansas City on Wego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will Argentina play in the World Cup 2026 quarter-final?
Switzerland. The Swiss beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in Vancouver on 7 July.
How did Argentina beat Egypt in the Round of 16?
Argentina won 3-2 after trailing 2-0, with goals from Cristian Romero (79′), Lionel Messi (83′) and Enzo Fernández (90+2′) completing the comeback. Messi also had an earlier penalty saved by Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir.
When and where is Argentina vs Switzerland?
Saturday, 11 July, 9:00 PM ET, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. That is the early hours of Sunday, 12 July, across the Middle East and South Asia.
Has Switzerland conceded a goal in the knockout rounds?
Not in regulation time. Switzerland kept clean sheets through 90 minutes of both knockout matches, only being taken to penalties by Colombia.
Sources
- FIFA — Argentina v Egypt 3-2 match report
- FIFA — Switzerland 0-0 (4-3 pens) Colombia match report
- ESPN — Argentina 3-2 Egypt final score
- ESPN — Switzerland vs Colombia final score
- Al Jazeera — Switzerland face Argentina in World Cup quarter-final after beating Colombia
- ESPN — Egypt boss bemoans “injustice” in loss to Argentina
- NBC News — Egypt files official complaint over VAR after 3-2 loss to Argentina
- World Soccer Talk — Argentina vs Switzerland: date, kickoff time and venue for the quarter-final
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate at the time of publishing. Match schedules, venues and kickoff times are subject to change by FIFA — please confirm official details before making travel plans.
