​Lionel Scaloni has said he hopes Argentina will be remembered as a side that never gives up as his team prepares to take on Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. The defending champions cruised through the group stage of the 2026 tournament, but their path has been more demanding in the knockout rounds, with Cape Verde and Egypt giving them real tests. Argentina now sit unbeaten in 11 World Cup matches as they chase a historic second successive title, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1962. Their next obstacle is a disciplined, hard-working Switzerland side that will travel to Kansas City seeking to halt the South Americans’ momentum.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, Scaloni emphasized that supporting Argentina is rooted in passion. He expressed a desire for his team to be remembered as one that never gave up, saying: “I would like this national team to be remembered as a team that never gave up.” The coach also revealed that he was moved to emotion by the sight of a young supporter backing the team. He explained that the players and the entire technical staff play not just for the thrill of winning, but from the heart: “We, the technical staff, the players, we play football for this. We do not play football just for a win. And then when you see those things that come out of our heart, this is just outstanding.” He added that witnessing a 10-year-old express such passion and the crowd chanting “Argentina” is profoundly emotional and represents the legacy he hopes to leave.
The quarter-final clash at Arrowhead Stadium will take Lionel Messi back to the same venue where he once opened the 2026 campaign with a hat-trick against Algeria in a 3-0 victory. The Inter Miami forward is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe on eight World Cup goals and recently moved ahead as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, with 21 goals across his career. Scaloni affirmed that Messi would stay at the pinnacle of his game for as long as he wishes. “At 39 years of age, some might doubt whether he can still rise to the challenge, but I have already said that for as long as he wants, he will be the best,” said Scaloni. He added that those who observe Messi in training today can scarcely imagine what the player was like at 23, when he was at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.
Looking ahead to the Swiss test, Scaloni acknowledged the quality of the Swiss side, captained by Granit Xhaka, noting that they are a difficult opponent to defeat in the quarter-finals. “They have a long-standing World Cup history,” he observed, highlighting their physical strength and experience. “They are strong. So it will be a tough opponent. That is for sure.” He stressed that Argentina holds deep respect for Switzerland, as it does for all of their opponents, including Colombia—whom the Swiss eliminated in the previous round—praising Colombia’s strong showing in the tournament.
If Argentina can overcome Switzerland, their route to the semi-finals would likely lead them to face England or Norway. The atmosphere in Kansas City promises to be electric as Argentina seek to maintain their unbeaten run and continue a quest for back-to-back World Cup glory, a feat not achieved since Brazil’s 1962 triumph.