Who will Argentina play next in the World Cup quarterfinals?
Argentina will face the winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11, at Kansas City Stadium. La Albiceleste advanced with a stunning 3–2 Round of 16 comeback over Egypt, leaving fans searching who Argentina play next waiting on one more last-16 result to set the bracket.
Argentina's dramatic escape in Atlanta kept Lionel Messi's title defense alive on one of the wildest nights of the 2026 tournament. The defending champions trailed Egypt 2–0 with roughly 12 minutes of regulation left before roaring back to win in front of a global audience glued to the knockout stage.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina's quarterfinal opponent is the winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia.
- The quarterfinal is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at Kansas City Stadium.
- Enzo Fernández scored in injury time to complete a 3–2 comeback over Egypt.
- News.com.au live coverage reported fan outrage over a VAR controversy dubbed the "17-second scandal."
- Messi has not confirmed retirement; coach Lionel Scaloni says he will keep playing as long as he wants.
Who Will Argentina Play in the World Cup Quarterfinals?
According to Athlon Sports, Argentina's next opponent will be either Switzerland or Colombia. The two sides were set to meet in the final Round of 16 clash to decide who faces the holders in the last eight.
The quarterfinal is penciled in for Saturday, July 11, at Kansas City Stadium. Argentina already know the date and venue even before Colombia or Switzerland is confirmed.
Beyond that round, Athlon Sports outlined a daunting path. A semifinal could pit Argentina against Norway or England, while a potential final could feature France, Morocco, Spain, or Belgium depending on how the opposite side of the bracket unfolds.
Why Did Argentina's Egypt Win Spark a VAR Scandal?
News.com.au live coverage headlined fan fury over what it called a "17-second scandal" during Argentina's comeback against Egypt. Supporters joked online that FIFA stands for "Fixing It For Argentina," and the uproar grew louder as the match swung on video reviews.
Egypt led through Yasser Ibrahim's 15th-minute header and looked set to punish Messi further when the captain's penalty was saved shortly after. The Pharaohs moved 2–0 ahead when Mostafa Ziko scored in the 67th minute, though Egypt had an earlier strike ruled out after a VAR check.
Argentina flipped the game in the closing stages. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, Messi equalized four minutes later, and Enzo Fernández headed the winner in injury time. News.com.au called it one of the most dramatic matches in tournament history.
Will Lionel Messi Retire After the 2026 World Cup?
Messi's future remains the subplot beneath every knockout round. Yahoo Sports UK noted the 39-year-old has tied Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappé on seven goals at this World Cup, yet he still has not publicly confirmed his international retirement plans.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni offered a brighter outlook, telling Olé that Messi "will keep playing as long as he wants because we already know what he's capable of." Scaloni also joked it should hardly be surprising Messi is at a sixth World Cup.
Against Egypt, Messi became the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup, having also failed from the spot against Austria in the group stage, per News.com.au. He still delivered an assist and a goal in the comeback, keeping his farewell tour very much alive.
What Comes After the Quarterfinal for Argentina?
If Argentina win Saturday in Kansas City, they would return to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a semifinal against the Norway–England winner on Tuesday, July 15, according to bracket reporting cited across tournament coverage. The final is set for Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
For more on the stars driving this knockout run, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage as Messi and Argentina chase a rare World Cup repeat.