Argentina vs Switzerland in World Cup 2026 quarterfinal live
Argentina face Switzerland in the final Coupe du Monde 2026 quarterfinal on July 12 at 3 a.m. Paris time (9 p.m. ET July 11) at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, with Lionel Messi and the defending champions chasing another late escape after back-to-back 3-2 knockout wins. Meanwhile, France center-backs William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano sat out Saturday training three days before their semi-final against Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina vs Switzerland kicks off at 3:00 a.m. French time on beIN Sports 1 and M6, with Messi leading the defending champions after back-to-back 3-2 knockout wins.
- Switzerland are unbeaten at the Coupe du Monde 2026 and seek their first World Cup semi-final since 1954, but have never beaten Argentina in seven meetings.
- France's Saliba and Upamecano missed Saturday's session for managed back and foot issues; Kylian Mbappé trained as Les Bleus prepare for Spain on Tuesday.
- Argentina conceded four goals across two knockout rounds after allowing just one in the group stage, exposing defensive cracks Scaloni must address.
When and where is Argentina vs Switzerland?
The last quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup streaming schedule pits defending champion Argentina against Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Kickoff is set for Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 3:00 a.m. French time, per L'Équipe's live match page.
French viewers can watch on beIN Sports 1 and M6. For U.S. audiences, that translates to 9:00 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, July 11. Referee João Pinheiro will officiate the clash between Lionel Scaloni's Albiceleste and Murat Yakin's Nati.
Why is Messi's Argentina still alive?
Argentina have scraped through on sheer will. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2, then trailed Egypt 2-0 with about ten minutes left before Messi sparked a legendary comeback to win 3-2 in Atlanta on July 7.
Messi scored the late equalizer in that thriller after missing a first-half penalty. Manager Lionel Scaloni, visibly emotional after the Egypt win, is expected to largely keep that same lineup against Switzerland.
Former striker Carlos Tévez praised the squad's "steel mentality," a theme Messi echoed: "This group never gives up and keeps fighting until the end." Midfielder Leandro Paredes added, "This team will always fight."
Can Switzerland pull off a historic upset?
Switzerland arrive unbeaten through the Coupe du Monde 2026, topping Group B and eliminating Colombia on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the round of 16. A win would deliver their first World Cup semi-final in 72 years.
History favors Argentina. L'Équipe notes Argentina have never lost to Switzerland across seven meetings, including a 1-0 extra-time win in the 2014 round of 16 on Ángel Di María's 118th-minute goal. Captain Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodríguez remain from that night.
Scaloni warned Switzerland carry "an incredible World Cup tradition" and "remarkable players." Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel anchors a disciplined block built around Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, and Nicolás Elvedi.
Are France's defenders fit before the semi-final?
While Argentina prepare in Kansas City, Les Bleus held training at Bentley University near Boston on Saturday, July 11. Center-backs William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano were the notable absentees three days before France face Spain in Dallas on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. French time.
Saliba follows a modified program for recurring back pain and trains minimally, while Upamecano was rested for foot soreness. Le Figaro reports the staff sees no serious concern about either player for the semi-final. Mbappé, who left the Morocco quarter-final with a minor ankle issue, participated in training alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni.
France and Spain both reached the last four after quarter-final wins, setting up a heavyweight semi while Messi's Argentina aim to join them with one more escape act.