The Swiss national team leaves the 2026 World Cup in North America with pride, despite a 3-1 loss to Argentina in the quarterfinals. Despite the defeat, the Nati players showed pride and fighting spirit until the end. Granit Xhaka and coach Murat Yakin emphasized the positive aspects of the tournament performance after the game. Switzerland had previously had a strong group stage and an impressive round of 16 match against the USA.
What happened in the game against Argentina?
The quarterfinal against Argentina was a hard-fought game in which Switzerland fell behind early. Lionel Messi scored for the South Americans as early as the 10th minute, before Granit Xhaka equalized in the 35th minute. After the break, however, Ángel Di María and Nicolás González increased for Argentina, which sealed the final score of 3-1.
Why is the performance still remarkable?
Despite the defeat against the later world champion Argentina, Switzerland can look back on a successful World Cup. With three wins, one draw and only one loss in the last five games, the team showed strong form. Murat Yakin praised the mental strength of his team and emphasized that they had fought until the end.
What's next for Switzerland?
After the World Cup exit, Switzerland is already looking ahead to the next challenges. The next game is on September 26, 2026, away against North Macedonia. However, the Nati players will have to do without Manuel Akanji, Loris Karius and Granit Xhaka, who are currently injured. The team will now take a short break before preparing for the upcoming games.
