Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the warm up before the match.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal match between Argentina and Switzerland is underway at the Kansas City stadium in Kansas on July 12, 2026. 

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Argentina and Lionel Messi would look to continue their marauding form and storm into the semis. Their unbeaten run stretches into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and are unbeaten ever since. In the way of their title defence is Switzerland, who have been frugal in defence, conceding only three goals in five matches so far. Shutting out Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste would lie on the shoulders of their stalwarts Xhaka, Akanji, and goalkeeper Kobel, along with Remo Freuler, Nico Elvedi.

The lineups for the match has been confirmed:

Argentina: Emi Martinez (GK), Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, E. Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez, Messi

Switzerland: Kobel (GK), Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Ndoye, Reider, Sow, Embolo

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Mexico: Raul Rangel, Jorge Sanchez, ‌Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira, Luis Romo, Gilberto Mora, Raul Jimenez, Julian ⁠Quinones, Roberto Alvarado.

Ecuador: Hernan Galindez, Piero ⁠Hincapie, Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Pedro Vite, Alan Franco, ‌Moises Caicedo, John Yeboah, Enner Valencia, Gonzalo Plata, Nilson Angulo.

DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot at Atlanta Stadium, Georgia, U.S., on June 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Colombia’s Santiago Arias in action with Portugal’s Nuno Mendes on June 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) controls the ball during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP

In Miami, Portugal enter their final Group K clash with leaders Colombia knowing their spot in the Round of 32 is secured. However, only a win will enable them to leapfrog the South Americans into first place. Colombia have six points ‌and need only ‌a ⁠draw to top ⁠the group while Portugal (four points) must win if they want to advance ‌as group winners.

Portugal made one change to their starting ‌lineup against Colombia for their final World ⁠Cup group game on Saturday, with Ruben Neves coming ‌in for Joao Neves. If they win today, it would be on the same side of the Round of 32 draw as Lionel Messi and Argentina — raising the possibility that the icons could meet in the World Cup quarterfinals on July 11. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, continues ⁠to lead the line in his sixth World ‌Cup with Joao Felix and Pedro Neto on the wings and Bruno Fernandes slots in as the playmaker. Ronaldo has two goals in this year’s World Cup entering play today. He’s the only player to score in six different editions of the men’s World Cup.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Eldor Shomurodov #14 of Uzbekistan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Congo DR and Uzbekistan at Atlanta Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP

If Democratic Republic of Congo manages to win against already-eliminated Uzbekistan in Atlanta, the team will secure qualification for the knockout stages as at least one of the best third-placed sides. 

DR Congo changed to a more attacking formation in their last World ⁠Cup Group K clash and advance to the Round of 32. It has ‌fielded five defenders in their previous two matches against ‌Portugal and Colombia but Steve ‌Kapuadi ⁠sits out this time to ⁠allow an extra attacker in Brian Cipenga.

Plucky DR Congo holds listless Portugal to 1-1 draw

After losing 5-0 to Portugal in their ‌last match, Uzbekistan made four changes as they look to win their first points. Coach Fabio Cannavaro’s side lost ‌to Colombia and Portugal, conceding eight goals, and even a win against the Congolese may not be enough to earn ‌one of the eight best third-placed spots in the round of ‌32.

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Croatia probably need a draw against Ghana to secure a spot in the last 32, but attacker Ivan Perisic is confident in his side’s record against African opposition. Ghana enter the final Group L matchday on four points, while Croatia have three.

Croatia dropped Josko Gvardiol in one of three changes for the final World Cup ‌Group L match. Coach Zlatko Dalic gives starts to Ante Budimir and Nikola Vlasic for ‌the first time in this World Cup, and forward Petar Sucic gets a recall. Ghana, who have booked their place in the next ‌round, also made three switches, ⁠leaving out forward Inaki Williams.

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Attacker Perisic also was unsure whether Ghana’s low-block approach, a staple of several Carlos Queiroz-managed World Cup sides, would continue. “They are a very good team,” he said. “Very compact. Perhaps ⁠they played the lower block in the past two matches. Given ⁠that, maybe they might be changing or something, but we have to be ready for both options.”

England, level on four points with Ghana after two games, take on Panama at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday (June 28, 2026). England has already advanced to the knockout rounds, so they are looking for a victory to boost their chances of claiming top spot in Group L. Panama are ‌unable to advance.

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England’s Jarell Quansah gets his first World Cup ‌start as he replaces injured right back Reece James, ⁠among five changes from coach Thomas Tuchel to the starting lineup for ‌his side’s final Group L game. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford will start for England for the first time at this World Cup, while Declan Rice drops out. Panama’s key midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla ‌was ⁠on the bench again ⁠with a muscle injury.

Check out | World Cup 2026 Group L squads: Full player lists

Panama was eliminated with losses to Ghana and Croatia. Los Canaleros have failed to advance past the first round in both of their World Cup appearances.

Japan showed their battling qualities to salvage a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup ‌Group F opener on Sunday (June 14, 2026) as Hajime Moriyasu’s side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.

Daichi Kamada was credited ⁠with his side’s all-important second goal in the 88th minute when the ball deflected off the Crystal Palace midfielder’s head to beat Bart Verbruggen after Koki Ogawa had powered his header towards goal.

Curacao’s Jeremy Antonisse with teammate on the pitch before the match on June 20, 2026
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Making their World Cup debut, Curaçao endured a difficult start to their Group E campaign with a 7-1 defeat to Germany. However, the result has done little to dampen the sense of pride surrounding the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament, with a population of approximately 1,56,000.

Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat believes his team’s presence at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is already a victory in itself, as the Caribbean nation continues to celebrate a remarkable journey from humble beginnings to football’s biggest stage.

While Ecuador enter Saturday’s match seeking their first points after a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast, Advocaat remains realistic about the challenge facing his side.

(With inputs from ANI)

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