KANSAS CITY (Special Envoy).- While France was closing out their match against Morocco, the Swiss players stepped onto the pitch at Sporting Kansas City’s stadium for the penultimate training session before the decisive quarterfinal clash against Argentina at the 2026 World Cup. The squad started under the shade of the stands to protect themselves from Missouri’s scorching sun.
There were exercises on stationary bikes and with the ball. Kobel, the Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper who was a standout in the victory over Colombia, trained at one end. During the fifteen minutes open to the press, he did not practice penalties.
The big question is whether they will recover Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old striker missed the round of 16. On Thursday, he came out to practice with a knee brace on his left leg and did differentiated work. According to this newspaper, the forward could be available on Saturday. If he doesn’t start, he would come on in the second half.
Another major attraction is their captain, Grant Xhaka. Before the World Cup, he declared, contradicting his country’s idiosyncrasy, that «Switzerland will be world champions.» A different leader for a society that is buzzing about the most important match in its history. Now, Switzerland idolizes him.
After advancing to the quarterfinals last Tuesday against Colombia on penalties, coach Murat Yakin took note of the opponent. In light of Argentina’s hard-fought wins over Cape Verde and Egypt, he dared to say: «This is a unique opportunity; it was clear that Argentina is not invincible.»
Switzerland reached the quarterfinals after 72 years. The last time was in the World Cup they hosted in post-war Europe. Therefore, they consider this performance the greatest success in their football history.
Far from the major European powers, the Swiss experience football in their own way. Matches arrive on screens in the early hours, and in the stadiums, only handfuls of residents in the United States are seen. In the small nation, the national team has become a phenomenon for new generations, who celebrated late into the night after the advances against Algeria and Colombia. In a country almost opposite to South American fanaticism, the Swiss have discovered that their team achieved something unthinkable for their parents and grandparents.
They now chant «Swiss selection» and paint crosses on their cheeks, according to NZZ, the country’s oldest newspaper. The text describes the Swiss fan as someone who «accepts that, being a small country, they cannot compete with the major powers» and «settles for what they have, proud of achievements like the victory against France in 2021 or against Italy in 2024.» This World Cup went further: «A festive patriotism, but waving flags and yodeling feels foreign to them.»
The Swiss national team played all their matches on the West Coast. They debuted in San Francisco against Qatar (1-1), then in Los Angeles against Bosnia (4-1), and closed against Canada (2-1) in Vancouver. They finished first in their group. In Vancouver, they played the round of 32 against Algeria (2-0) and the round of 16 against Colombia (0-0, 4-2 on penalties).
The squad arrived Wednesday night in Kansas City to prepare for Saturday’s match. Their base is in San Diego, at an exclusive five-star complex on the Pacific, Fairmont Del Mar, with private areas, pools, and spa. Training sessions are at the San Diego Jewish Academy in La Jolla.
Argentina and Switzerland have faced each other seven times, with five Argentine wins and two draws. Two were in World Cups: in England 1966, with goals by Artime and Onega for a 2-0 Argentine victory, and in Brazil 2014, in the round of 16, with Di María’s goal in the 118th minute after an assist from Messi.
The team that will face Argentina stands out for its defensive order and pragmatism, instilled by Yakin, who already led Switzerland to the round of 16 in Qatar and to the quarterfinals in Euro 2024, where they eliminated Italy and lost on penalties to England. To his tactical order, he adds elite players and a goalkeeper, Kobel, who was a hero in the penalty shootout against Colombia.
Their great leader is Granit Xhaka, formerly of Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, now at Sunderland. The young Manzambi, scorer of three goals, is another strong point. Another key figure is Manuel Akanji, from Inter Milan, who announced he would not take any more penalties after missing his against Colombia, although his goalkeeper saved him. He had also failed in the shootouts of Euro 2020 and 2024.
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Para mí estos suizos se piensan que Manzambi les va a ganar el partido? Ni en pedo, la Scaloneta les pasa por encima como siempre. Argentina es la mejor selección del mundo, a llorar a la iglesia. ¡Vamos Argentina carajo!
Para mí esto es un verso de la FIFA para que Suiza tenga chances. Manzambi se hizo el lesionado para no bancarse la presión, un choreo total. Suiza siempre con la misma jeta de sobrados, ojalá Argentina los baile y les demuestre que son unos muertos.