Lionel Messi and Argentina play upstart Switzerland in World Cup quarterfinals at Arrowhead Stadium

Lionel Messi and Argentina will face Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina, defending champions, have a squad that includes Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez alongside Messi. Switzerland has never reached the semifinals and has not played in the quarterfinals since 1954, when it lost to Austria in a tournament it hosted. Still, Argentina’s own earlier struggles—such as being pushed by Cape Verde and rallying from 2-0 down to beat Egypt—leave room for an upset. Switzerland earned its spot by beating Colombia on penalty kicks. Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji are expected to lead the defensive effort, with Remo Freuler, Nico Elvedi and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel also in the lineup. The winner will play Norway or England on Wednesday in Atlanta. Argentina is on an 11-match World Cup unbeaten streak since 2022, and Messi has 21 World Cup goals, including in a record six straight knockout matches. Messi scored to level against Egypt in the 83rd minute before Enzo Fernández won it in stoppage time.