Switzerland qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, a milestone not achieved since 1954. After eliminating Colombia on penalties, coach Murat Yakin stated that Argentina "is vulnerable".
The Swiss national team has reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, a feat not accomplished since the 1954 World Cup, when they hosted and lost 7-5 to Austria in one of the most memorable matches in World Cup history. Now, Switzerland will face Argentina, the reigning world champion, in a match that promises intense emotions.
Swiss coach Murat Yakin did not hesitate to send a direct message to his next opponent after qualifying: "It has been seen that Argentina, in the last two matches, is vulnerable." A statement that reflects the confidence of a team that has improved throughout the tournament.
A solid path to the quarter-finals
Switzerland led Group B with seven points, after drawing 1-1 with Qatar, thrashing Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1, and defeating Canada 2-1. In the knockout stage, they overcame Algeria 2-0 in the round of 16 and eliminated Colombia in the penalty shootout to reach the last eight in the world. The team has shown defensive solidity and a capacity for reaction that have allowed them to overcome difficult moments.
The last time Switzerland got this far was in 1954, when they hosted the World Cup. That edition ended with a 7-5 defeat to Austria in the quarter-finals, in a match that remains the highest-scoring game in World Cup history. Since then, Swiss football has accumulated seven decades of disappointments in World Cup appearances.
Murat Yakin, the architect of success
Behind this achievement is Murat Yakin, a coach of Turkish descent who has managed to build a recognisable and competitive team. The son of immigrants, Yakin developed a career as a central defender before moving to coaching. His life outside football is also unique: he runs a mattress factory, has competed in amateur golf, and went viral for giving chocolates to the press at a press conference.
The coach has maintained the backbone of the team, with Granit Xhaka as the undisputed leader, and has incorporated young talents who have brought freshness. Switzerland is characterised by its tactical discipline, coordinated pressing, and quick transitions, without relying on a single star. The block is compact, fast, and technically reliable.
A team forged in diversity
Many of the Swiss players are children of immigrants or refugees who arrived in the country fleeing wars or persecution. This mix of cultures has shaped the character of the team. Captain Granit Xhaka, for example, was born in Switzerland in 1992 after his father, Ragip Xhaka, was arrested in Yugoslavia for participating in protests against the communist regime and later went into exile.
Ricardo Rodríguez, another pillar of the team, is the son of a Galician emigrant and a Chilean mother. For years, he wore the flags of Spain and Chile on his boots as a tribute to his origins. He was a world champion at the U-17 level with Switzerland in 2009, where he played alongside Xhaka. Both represent the success story of integration in Swiss football.
The match against Argentina presents a major challenge, but Switzerland has already shown that it can compete against the best. For the neutral fan, the match offers the incentive of seeing a modest yet organised team take on the champion. The match will be held at the stadium in the Mexican city of Guadalajara next Tuesday at 21:00 local time. The winner will face the victor of the match between Brazil and Portugal in the semi-finals.
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