Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka expected to start against Argentina in World Cup quarterfinal
12.07.2026
Key Player Availability for Quarterfinal Clash
Switzerland is set to face a significant challenge in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals as they prepare to take on defending champions Argentina on July 11. A central question for many fans has been the availability of Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka. Latest pre-match reports indicate that Xhaka is expected to be available and will likely lead his team in this crucial encounter. His presence is seen as vital for Switzerland as they aim to achieve a major upset in the tournament.
There have been no reports suggesting that Xhaka is injured or suspended, which bodes well for the Swiss side. While the official starting lineup will be confirmed closer to kickoff, all indications point towards his inclusion. Xhaka, who is 33 years old, has been a consistent presence in Switzerland‘s midfield throughout the World Cup, playing a key role in their campaign.
Pre-match analyses have consistently featured Xhaka as one of Switzerland‘s most important players. His leadership qualities, passing accuracy, and extensive experience in high-stakes matches are considered indispensable. Facing a formidable Argentina team, Xhaka‘s ability to manage possession, dictate the game’s pace, and organize the midfield will be crucial for Switzerland‘s strategy.
His calm demeanor on the ball and his capacity to switch play effectively could be pivotal for Switzerland to compete against the reigning champions. Although fans will need to await the official team sheet, the expectation is that Xhaka will be ready to start and contribute significantly to his team’s efforts.
Xhaka’s Influence and Messi’s Role for Argentina
Granit Xhaka has established a distinguished career in Swiss football, making his international debut as a teenager and eventually becoming one of the country’s most-capped players and captain. At the club level, he has played for prominent European teams such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen, securing major domestic trophies during his tenure. This extensive experience at both club and international levels is considered one of Switzerland‘s primary strengths heading into the quarterfinal.
Despite entering the quarterfinal as underdogs, Xhaka‘s presence instills confidence within the Switzerland squad. His capacity to control play, win critical duels, and motivate his teammates has been fundamental to Switzerland‘s achievements over the years. If Switzerland hopes to secure a memorable victory against Argentina and advance to the World Cup semifinals, their captain is anticipated to play a leading role.
Meanwhile, Argentina‘s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has expressed his confidence in Lionel Messi, particularly regarding his penalty-taking abilities. Despite Messi‘s recent struggles from the spot in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he has missed both of his penalties in the tournament and scored only four out of his last seven for Argentina since the 2022 World Cup, Scaloni remains supportive.
Scaloni believes that the Inter Miami attacker possesses the ability to perform under pressure in critical moments. Ahead of their quarterfinal match against Switzerland, Scaloni stated that Messi would take penalties if he wished to. He highlighted Messi‘s intelligence in a previous match against Egypt, where Argentina made a comeback from a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2, with Cristian Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernandez scoring.
In that game, Messi assisted Romero‘s goal and then scored the equalizer, bringing his total to eight goals and one assist in the current campaign. Scaloni noted that Messi typically plays more centrally these days, but the entire team adapts to his movements. He observed that Messi‘s ability to create danger from the wing, finding passes to teammates, became evident during the match.
Scaloni also emphasized that Messi‘s actions on the pitch are now more decisive than before. He clarified that Messi‘s running distance has not significantly changed, but the impact of his actions has increased. Scaloni expressed his belief that Messi, who turned 39 last month, will remain the best player as long as he desires to continue playing. Argentina, as the defending champions, has maintained an unbeaten record in this tournament.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Ishaan Kapoor
Sports correspondent covering cricket, football and international competitions.