ARGENTINA face a Switzerland side depleted by injury in Kansas City, as Lionel Messi’s extraordinary individual form takes centre stage once again.
The reigning champions survived a stunning fright against Egypt to get here, while Switzerland ground out a goalless penalty shootout win over Colombia, doing so without Johan Manzambi, their breakout star, who picked up a knee injury in training the day before.
Argentina vs Switzerland bet builder tips
Here’s the build I’ve put together with Betway – legs leaning into Messi’s remarkable form and a fixture the model rates as goal-friendly.
Bet Builder
Argentina vs Switzerland
Jattvibe, 12 July 2026 • 01:00 BST • World Cup
Lionel Messi
— Anytime Goalscorer
Both Teams to Score
— Yes
Over 2.5 Goals
— Total Match Goals
Over 8.5 Corners
— Total Match Corners
Best Odds
Betway
11/2
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Coral
27/4
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Betfred
6.77/1
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Argentina vs Switzerland kick-off time, date, TV channel and venue
Date: Jattvibeday, 12th July, 2026
Kick-off: 2:00am BST
Venue: Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead), Kansas City, Missouri
Stage: Quarter-final
TV Channel: ITV1, ITVX
ON THE BALL
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Argentina vs Switzerland predictions
Argentina have won all five of their matches so far, but the underlying numbers say this tie should still produce goals at both ends.
Lionel Messi to score anytime
Messi has been the unequivocal star performer of the entire tournament, and are you even surprised? He’s scored 8 goals from five matches, a rate of 6.37 shots per 90 minutes and 3.73 on target, backed by an expected goals return of 7.38.
He’s now scored in six successive World Cup knockout matches, and while he missed a penalty against Egypt, his second missed spot-kick of the tournament and a first in World Cup history, he still found a way to equalise from open play in the 83rd minute.
Nobody at this World Cup is producing numbers close to these, and with Switzerland missing their own most dangerous attacking outlet in Manzambi, Argentina’s game plan will lean on Messi even more heavily than usual.
Both Teams to Score – Yes
The pre-match model rates BTTS at 60% for this fixture. Argentina have conceded in three of their five games, including twice against both Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout rounds, while Switzerland have scored in four of their five matches, only drawing a blank in the tense, goalless quarter-final qualifier against Colombia.
Argentina have won all five of their matches so far, and their attacking intent isn’t going to change regardless of the scoreline. With Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas all capable of hurting a defence that’s shown real cracks under pressure, goals at both ends look the likely pattern again.
Over 2.5 Total Match Goals
The pre-match model projects 3.10 average goals for this fixture, with a 60% chance of clearing 2.5. Argentina’s five matches have produced totals of 3, 2, 4, 5 and 5, an average of 3.8, while Switzerland’s have produced 2, 5, 3, 2 and 0.
Switzerland’s low-event draw with Colombia was shaped by two extremely cautious, well-matched sides cancelling each other out, a dynamic that looks unlikely to repeat itself against an Argentina side that has scored in every single game so far and has no reason to sit back here.
Over 8.5 Total Match Corners
The pre-match model projects 9.80 total corners for this fixture. Argentina have averaged 4.6 corners per game across their five matches, while Switzerland have averaged 5.2, and combined match totals have ranged from 4 up to 16 across the ten games between them, clearing this exact line in five of those ten.
Both sides have shown they can rack up set pieces when going through opponents who sit deep, and with Switzerland missing Manzambi’s directness in behind, they may well have to work the ball into wide areas more often to create anything at all.
Argentina vs Switzerland match preview
Argentina’s route to the last eight has been anything but straightforward. Lionel Scaloni’s side won Group J with three wins from three, survived a major scare against Cape Verde in the Round of 32, and then trailed Egypt 2-0 with 11 minutes to play in the Round of 16 before Messi inspired a stunning late comeback, scoring the equaliser before Enzo Fernández headed the winner in stoppage time.
Switzerland’s path has been built on defensive resilience and Manzambi’s breakout performances, but the young forward’s tournament ended in cruel fashion.
Murat Yakin’s side topped Group B, beat Algeria in the Round of 32, and then ground out a goalless 120 minutes against Colombia in the Round of 16, winning 4-3 on penalties after Vargas converted the decisive spot kick.
Manzambi, who scored 3 goals and added 2 assists from just 200 minutes at these finals, picked up a knee injury in training the day before the Colombia game and was not included in the squad, with Yakin unable to give a timeline for his return.
This marks the third World Cup meeting between the two nations, following Argentina’s victories in 1966 and their dramatic extra-time triumph in 2014. The winner faces England or Norway in the semi-final.
Key stats for Argentina vs Switzerland
Lionel Messi has scored 8 goals at this World Cup, comfortably the tournament’s top scorer.
Messi is the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in the same tournament.
Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, who scored 3 goals in just 200 minutes, is out injured for this game.
Argentina have conceded in three of their five matches at these finals.
This is the third World Cup meeting between Argentina and Switzerland, with Argentina having won both previous encounters, including a 2014 extra-time thriller.
Argentina vs Switzerland betting odds
Here are the latest odds provided by Betway.
Argentina vs Switzerland predicted line-ups
Argentina (4-4-2): E. Martínez; Molina, Romero, L. Martínez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández; Messi, Álvarez.
Switzerland (4-4-2): Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodríguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder, Jashari; Ndoye, Embolo.
Argentina vs Switzerland team news
Argentina: Scaloni has a fully fit squad to choose from following the dramatic win over Egypt. Nicolás Tagliafico came in at left-back for the Egypt game and is expected to keep his place, while Julián Álvarez continues to lead the line alongside Messi.
Switzerland: Yakin’s biggest blow is the loss of Manzambi, ruled out through a knee injury with no return timeline given. Vargas, the penalty shootout hero against Colombia, is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up in his absence.
Verdict
Messi’s individual form remains the dominant story of this tournament, and with Switzerland missing their own breakout attacking talent, Argentina look to have the greater firepower to make home comforts in Kansas City count again.
Both sides have shown they can be got at defensively, and with goals having followed Argentina around all tournament, a repeat of Switzerland’s cagey draw with Colombia looks unlikely.
Get behind this game using this bet builder at 11/2 with Betway, in what promises to be another classic instalment of this fixture on the World Cup stage.
Read more of our 2026 World Cup betting coverage
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Jattvibe in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Jattvibe, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Jattvibe.
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