The champions against the tournament’s great escape artists. Lionel Messi, leading the Golden Boot race and possibly playing his last World Cup, drives an Argentina side that has survived two knockout scares. In their way stands a Switzerland team that has not trailed for a single minute all tournament and just knocked out Colombia. Here is how to watch Argentina vs Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-final, the kick-off time where you are, the line-ups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 9:00 PM ET on Saturday, July 11 / 2:00 AM Sunday in the UK at the Kansas City Stadium, an 8:00 PM local start in Central time. In Britain it is free on ITV1, with streaming on ITVX. In the US it is on Fox. This is a straight knockout, so the losers go home.
Where to Watch Argentina vs Switzerland
Free on ITV1 in the UK. In the US it is on Fox.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on ITV1 and ITVX, with Scottish viewers able to watch on STV and STV Player. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on Fox, plus Fubo and Peacock, with Spanish coverage on Telemundo.
Argentina vs Switzerland TV Channel and Live Stream
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The Road to the Quarter-Finals
Argentina won Group J with a perfect record, then survived two 3-2 knockout thrillers to stay on course for back-to-back titles. Switzerland topped Group B and have not conceded in the knockouts, edging Colombia on penalties. Every group table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
ArgentinaSwitzerlandThe winner advances to the semi-finals to face the winner of Norway vs England. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
Messi's Champions Meet the Immovable Swiss
Argentina arrive as champions, but on wobbly legs. Scaloni's side swept Group J with a perfect nine points, Messi's hat-trick sinking Algeria before wins over Austria and Jordan, yet the knockouts have been white-knuckle. They needed extra time to escape debutants Cape Verde 3-2, then produced one of the tournament's great escapes against Egypt, trailing 2-0 with eleven minutes left before Cristian Romero, Messi and a stoppage-time Enzo Fernandez header completed a stunning comeback. At 39 and in what may be his final World Cup, Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals and remains the axis of everything Argentina do. They are unbeaten in eleven World Cup matches since Qatar and chasing back-to-back titles, a feat nobody has managed since Brazil in 1962.
Switzerland are the tournament's quiet overachievers. Murat Yakin's side have reached a first quarter-final since they hosted the event in 1954 and, remarkably, have not trailed for a single minute all tournament, qualifiers included. After topping Group B, a 1-1 draw with Qatar followed by a 4-1 rout of Bosnia and a 2-1 win over Canada, they shut out Algeria and then produced a defensive masterclass against Colombia, holding on through 120 goalless minutes before winning their first-ever World Cup shootout 4-3, with Gregor Kobel the hero and Ruben Vargas burying the decisive kick. The catch: they have lost breakout star Johan Manzambi to a knee injury, stripping their counter-attack of its sharpest weapon.
History could hardly be more lopsided. Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in seven attempts, drawing two and losing five, including a 5-0 friendly hammering in 1980. The pair have met twice at a World Cup and Argentina won both, 2-0 in the 1966 group stage and 1-0 after extra time in the 2014 last 16, settled by an Angel Di Maria goal deep into extra time. Switzerland have often struggled against South American opponents too, though beating Colombia days ago will give them belief.
The shape of the game is easy to predict, if not the outcome. Switzerland will sit deep, pack the midfield around Granit Xhaka and dare Argentina to break them down, hoping to nick something on the counter or from a set piece. Argentina will dominate the ball, they lead the tournament for build-up play, and look for Messi to find the pocket of space that unlocks the block. Without Manzambi, Switzerland's threat is blunted and the underlying numbers heavily favour the champions. Kobel will need another huge night to keep it close; if Argentina score first, the Swiss dam may finally break.
How They Might Line Up
Argentina have a fully fit squad, with Scaloni weighing rotation after two draining knockout ties and Facundo Medina pushing Nicolas Tagliafico at left-back. Switzerland are without top scorer Johan Manzambi, ruled out with a knee injury, and defender Luca Jaquez, though Ruben Vargas is fit to start and Michel Aebischer is available.
ARGENTINA · Scaloni · 4-4-2E. Martinez · Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico · De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, E. Fernandez · Messi (c), J. Alvarez
SWITZERLAND · Yakin · 4-2-3-1Kobel · Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez · Freuler, Xhaka (c) · Ndoye, Sow, Vargas · Embolo
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A Word on Kansas City Stadium
Branded Kansas City Stadium for the World Cup, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is home to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and holds a Guinness World Record as the loudest stadium on earth. This is the venue’s sixth and final match of the tournament, and a fitting stage for Argentina, who opened their campaign right here with Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria. A night kickoff means kinder conditions than the daytime heat elsewhere, with temperatures in the low 80s°F. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
Argentina lead the all-time series 5 wins to none, with two draws in seven meetings, Switzerland have never beaten them. At World Cups, Argentina won 2-0 in the 1966 group stage and 1-0 after extra time in the 2014 last 16. This is their third World Cup meeting.
Argentina vs Switzerland: Quick Answers
What time does Argentina vs Switzerland kick off?
9:00 PM Eastern in the US, which is 8:00 PM local time in Kansas City and 6:00 PM on the West Coast. In Argentina it is 10pm, in the UK 2am on Sunday, and in Switzerland 3am. The date is Saturday, July 11, 2026.
What channel is Argentina vs Switzerland on in the UK?
It is live and free on ITV1, with free streaming on ITVX, and available on STV and STV Player in Scotland.
How can I watch Argentina vs Switzerland in the US?
Fox has the broadcast, with streaming via Fubo, Peacock and FOX One. Spanish-language coverage is on Telemundo.
Where is Argentina vs Switzerland being played?
At Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium) in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the NFL's Chiefs, with a capacity of around 69,000.
Who is favourite to win Argentina vs Switzerland?
Argentina are heavy favourites, priced around -270 to reach the semi-finals, roughly a 73% chance. Switzerland are dangerous defensively but have never beaten Argentina and are missing their top scorer Johan Manzambi.
What happens if it is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout tie, so a draw means 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the teams are still level, exactly how Switzerland beat Colombia in the last round.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner advances to the semi-finals to face the winner of the Norway vs England quarter-final.
Is Messi playing, and is he chasing the Golden Boot?
Yes, Messi is fit and leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. At 39, this may well be his final World Cup.
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