Argentina vs. Switzerland Projected Starting Lineups & Preview | Starting XI For Argentina-Switzerland

The 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals continue as Argentina takes on Switzerland in a blockbuster matchup with a place in the semifinals on the line.

Argentina enters the quarterfinal as the reigning world champions and one of the tournament’s most complete and dangerous sides, having navigated the knockout rounds with a blend of defensive solidity, midfield excellence, and the irreplaceable brilliance of Lionel Messi. Switzerland, meanwhile, arrives having already eliminated Colombia in a famous Round of 16 result, looking to continue their reputation as one of football’s great tournament giant killers and reach the semifinals for the first time in decades.

Led by stars such as Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Granit Xhaka, and Breel Embolo, this matchup features two tactically sophisticated teams with world-class individual quality throughout. Argentina will look to use their midfield superiority, creative depth, and the match-winning ability of Messi to break down Switzerland’s famously resilient defensive structure, while Switzerland will rely on Xhaka’s leadership, a compact and disciplined back four, and the pace of Ndoye and Vargas to stay organized and punish Argentina on the counter.

Looking to wager on the game? Check out the top World Cup betting sites and World Cup promos.

Top Options For World Cup Trading

Prediction Market

Bonus

Features

Play

1

T&CS Apply. View Here.

*Offer only valid in AL, AK, CA, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, MN, NE, NM, ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, TX, or UT. Available to Trade Nationwide. Markets Available Vary by State.

$25 Bonus

On Sign Up

FanDuel Predicts Review

• Sign up for FanDuel Predicts & Get a $25 Trading Bonus

• Make Predictions on Real World Events Right in Your Phone

• Trade on Sports to Culture, Financials, Crypto and More

Trade Now

2

$50 Bonus

On First Deposit

Polymarket Review

• Deposit $20, Get a $50 Trading Bonus

• Live Trade with the Biggest Payouts at the Largest Prediction Market in the World

• Use Bonus Code: LINEUPS

Trade Now

3

Trade $10, Get $20

In Trading Bonus

ProphetX Review

• America's #1 Sports Prediction Market

• Same Sports Moments, Bigger Payouts

• Choose from Straights, Player Props, Parlays & More

• Use Exclusive Code: LINEUPS

Trade Now

4

Trade $10, Get $10

Sign Up, Deposit, and Trade with OG

OG Review

• Huge Range of CFTC-Approved Markets (Sports, Tech, and More)

• Compete with Others & Climb the Leaderboards

• No User Limiting on Trades

Trade Now

5

Earn up to 1 BTC

In CRO Rewards

Crypto.com Review

• Complete a Task in the Crypto.com App to Unlock up to 1 Bitcoin Worth of CRO Rewards

• America’s All-In-One Trading Platform

• Manage Your Crypto, Stocks, Predictions & Card Spend Seamlessly

Trade Now

Argentina Predicted Starting Lineup

Argentina will deploy a technically gifted and tactically balanced lineup featuring world-class quality throughout every line of the pitch.

Emiliano Martinez starts in goal behind a back four consisting of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, and Nicolas Tagliafico. Romero and Lisandro Martinez provide leadership and defensive authority at the heart of the backline, while Molina offers energy and attacking intent from right back and Tagliafico provides experience and defensive reliability from the left.

In midfield, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister are expected to provide a dominant and technically superior engine room. Paredes anchors the midfield from a deeper role, bringing composure and defensive cover, while Fernandez and Mac Allister add creativity, range, and relentless energy alongside him. De Paul provides the driving force and pressing intensity that has made him one of Argentina’s most important midfield contributors throughout their recent World Cup success.

Further forward, Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez are expected to spearhead the Argentine attack. Messi remains the irreplaceable creative force and finishing threat at the heart of everything Argentina does, with his vision, dribbling, and ability to produce moments of pure genius capable of deciding any match at any moment, while Lautaro provides relentless movement, physicality, and clinical finishing ability through the middle.

• GK: Emiliano Martinez
• RB: Nahuel Molina
• CB: Cristian Romero
• CB: Lisandro Martinez
• LB: Nicolas Tagliafico
• CDM: Leandro Paredes
• CM: Rodrigo De Paul
• CM: Enzo Fernandez
• CM: Alexis Mac Allister
• ST: Lautaro Martinez
• ST: Lionel Messi

Switzerland Predicted Starting Lineup

Switzerland will line up with a tactically disciplined and physically imposing squad built around defensive organization, midfield intensity, and dangerous attacking outlets on the flanks.

Gregor Kobel starts in goal behind a back four featuring Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, and Ricardo Rodriguez. Akanji and Elvedi provide composure and leadership at the heart of the defense, while Zakaria and Rodriguez offer athleticism and defensive reliability from the full-back positions.

In midfield, Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka are expected to anchor the center of the pitch. Xhaka brings leadership, intensity, and passing range as Switzerland’s most important and experienced player, while Freuler adds defensive cover and composure alongside him. Ahead of them, Fabian Rieder provides creativity and forward-thinking play through the center, with Dan Ndoye offering explosive pace and directness from the right and Ruben Vargas providing width and creativity from the left, having recovered from his earlier injury concern.

Breel Embolo is expected to lead the line, providing physicality, movement, and a consistent goal threat as Switzerland looks to make the most of every opportunity they create against one of the tournament’s most defensively organized sides. It is worth noting that Johan Manzambi is confirmed out, while Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez are both listed as questionable, giving Switzerland some depth concerns heading into this crucial quarterfinal clash.

• GK: Gregor Kobel
• RB: Denis Zakaria
• CB: Manuel Akanji
• CB: Nico Elvedi
• LB: Ricardo Rodriguez
• CDM: Remo Freuler
• CDM: Granit Xhaka
• AML: Ruben Vargas
• CAM: Fabian Rieder
• AMR: Dan Ndoye
• ST: Breel Embolo

Team News & Key Absences

Argentina enters the quarterfinal with a fully fit squad, a significant advantage heading into one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups. The availability of every key player gives Argentina maximum flexibility and the luxury of fielding their strongest possible lineup, with Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Fernandez, and the rest of the starting unit all confirmed and ready to feature.

Switzerland arrives with one confirmed absence and two injury concerns to monitor. Johan Manzambi is ruled out, while Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez are both listed as questionable ahead of kickoff. The potential absence of Aebischer in particular could impact Switzerland’s midfield depth options at a crucial stage of the tournament, placing greater responsibility on Xhaka and Freuler to carry the load in the engine room against Argentina’s formidable midfield unit.

Match Outlook & Resources

Argentina enters the quarterfinal as the clear favorite thanks to their world-class depth, championship experience, and the presence of Lionel Messi. If De Paul, Fernandez, and Mac Allister are able to dominate the midfield battle and Messi is given space to operate, Argentina should have ample opportunities to create chances through Lautaro and their creative midfield runners.

Switzerland, however, has proven throughout this tournament that they are capable of competing with and eliminating elite opposition through defensive discipline, collective organization, and clinical finishing on the counter. With Xhaka providing midfield leadership, Embolo leading the line with physicality and determination, and Ndoye stretching Argentina’s defense with his pace, Switzerland has the tactical intelligence and individual quality to make this a deeply competitive quarterfinal and pull off another stunning upset.

With a place in the semifinals on the line and one of the world’s greatest players potentially playing in his final World Cup quarterfinal, expect a tactically fascinating and emotionally charged clash between a Swiss side with nothing to lose and an Argentine team desperate to defend their crown.