Xhaka urges Switzerland to dream big against Argentina

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has called on his nation's supporters to continue dreaming of a historic World Cup run as they prepare to face defending champions Argentina in the 2026 quarter-finals. Xhaka, a midfielder for Sunderland, expressed that Switzerland's ultimate ambition is to eliminate Argentina and reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

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For the fans, keep dreaming. I am someone who always believes in dreams, and dreams can come true.

"For the fans, keep dreaming. I am someone who always believes in dreams, and dreams can come true," Xhaka stated at a pre-match press conference in Kansas City. "However, to make it happen, we need to work hard, sweat, and give 100 percent. Sometimes you also need to do something out of the ordinary and go beyond your own capabilities if you want to defeat Argentina. I am confident this team is ready."

The pre-match media attention at Arrowhead Stadium was heavily focused on Lionel Messi, who is currently tied as the tournament's top scorer with eight goals. Switzerland's coach, Murat Yakin, affirmed that his team has a strategy to neutralize the influence of the Argentine captain, admitting it will not be an easy task. "Tomorrow we will play as a team. We want to control the ball, press Argentina high as the defending champions," Yakin said. "We can talk all we want off the field, but what matters most is what is shown during the match. We have our own solutions."

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However, to make it happen, we need to work hard, sweat, and give 100 percent. Sometimes you also need to do something out of the ordinary and go beyond your own capabilities if you want to defeat Argentina. I am confident this team is ready.

Xhaka acknowledged the near impossibility of completely shutting down Messi for the entire 90 minutes, given his exceptional talent. "It's impossible to stop him throughout the match because he is an extraordinary player. What's important is that we play smartly, stay compact, close down space, and don't give him too many chances. When we have the ball, he also won't have much space to impact the game," he explained. The former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen player described the match against Argentina as one of the most significant moments of his career, expressing immense pride in leading Switzerland back to the quarter-finals after 72 years. "But I didn't come just to talk. We want to go further. We are very close, and I truly crave that success. We are hungry to win, have prepared thoroughly, and now just need to prove our mentality on the pitch. I am confident we can trouble Argentina," he added.

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Tomorrow we will play as a team. We want to control the ball, press Argentina high as the defending champions. We can talk all we want off the field, but what matters most is what is shown during the match. We have our own solutions.

Meanwhile, Yakin dismissed claims that Argentina has received preferential treatment from referees during the tournament, following a protest lodged by Egypt after their loss to the South American team in the round of 16. He cautioned his players, however, to be prepared for Argentina's aggressive and intense style of play.

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It's impossible to stop him throughout the match because he is an extraordinary player. What's important is that we play smartly, stay compact, close down space, and don't give him too many chances.