This Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland will not only pit two nations against each other but also rekindle an intriguing personal rivalry between their head coaches.

Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni and Switzerland’s Murat Yakin once faced off as players in the UEFA Champions League more than two decades ago.

The only meeting between the pair came during the 2002/03 Champions League second group stage when Yakin’s FC Basel edged Scaloni’s Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 in a memorable upset by the Swiss club.

Now both men find themselves on the touchline rather than the pitch, guiding their countries in one of the biggest matches of the FIFA World Cup.

Scaloni, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago, is seeking another step towards a successful title defence. Yakin, meanwhile, has already guided Switzerland to their best World Cup performance in 72 years and is aiming to take the Swiss into uncharted territory.

While their playing careers crossed paths only once, the stakes are significantly higher this time around, with a place in the World Cup semi-finals hanging in the balance.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

Argentina’s quest to retain the FIFA World Cup enters another crucial phase on Saturday when the defending champions meet a confident Switzerland side in a quarter-final showdown that carries echoes of past battles against European opposition.

History suggests the South Americans are no strangers to this stage of the competition. Remarkably, all eight of Argentina’s previous World Cup quarter-finals have come against European teams.

Their record stands evenly balanced, with four victories and four defeats, although recent history favours the Albiceleste.

Argentina successfully negotiated European challenges in both 2014 and 2022, overcoming Belgium and the Netherlands respectively on their way to the latter stages of the tournament. They will be hoping that trend continues as they seek another semi-final appearance.

Lionel Messi’s side reached the last eight after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt, while Switzerland needed a nerve-racking penalty shootout to edge Colombia following a goalless draw.

The Swiss arrive in buoyant mood and with statistics that demand respect. They have lost only one of their last 19 international matches, compiling 11 victories and seven draws during an impressive run that has transformed them into one of Europe’s most resilient teams.

Their progress to the quarter-finals is itself historic. Switzerland have reached the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1954, ending a wait of more than seven decades.

Argentina, however, remain one of the favourites for the title. With Messi continuing to inspire and a squad packed with experience and attacking quality, the reigning champions are determined to keep their dream of back-to-back World Cup triumphs alive.

The contest presents a classic contrast between Argentina’s flair and tournament know-how and Switzerland’s discipline, organisation and growing confidence.

A place in the semi-finals awaits the winner, but only one side will continue its journey towards World Cup glory. Argentina will be counting on history to repeat itself, while Switzerland hope to write a new chapter of their own.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Morocco’s remarkable FIFA World Cup 2026 journey came to an end against familiar opponents on Thursday, but the Atlas Lions are already turning their attention towards a potentially historic opportunity on home soil in 2030.

Morocco were unable to replicate the semi-final heroics that captivated the football world in Qatar four years ago, once again finding France standing in their path.

Les Bleus secured a 2-0 quarter-final victory in Boston, ending Morocco’s hopes of becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals twice.

Despite the defeat, Morocco leave the tournament with their reputation enhanced. The North Africans became the first African nation to reach successive World Cup quarter-finals, adding another chapter to a golden era that has transformed them into one of the continent’s leading football powers.

Their campaign included a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32 and a spirited performance against Brazil in the group stage, underlining their ability to compete with the game’s traditional heavyweights.

Questions had surrounded Morocco’s prospects heading into the tournament after a coaching change only three months before kickoff.

However, Reuters reported that Mohamed Ouahbi, promoted from the youth ranks after guiding Morocco to last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup title, oversaw a smooth transition and exceeded many expectations.

Now, with Morocco already qualified for the 2030 World Cup as co-hosts alongside Portugal and Spain, attention is beginning to shift towards what could be the most significant tournament in the country’s football history.

With this development, Morocco have achieved a rare feat of a four-consecutive appearance in the World Cup by an African team.

“We have a young team who want to grow, who will continue to do so. We have talented players who will enable us to grow,” Ouahbi told reporters after Thursday’s defeat, according to Reuters.

The 2030 World Cup offers Morocco a unique opportunity to build on the foundations laid by successive deep runs at the global showpiece. Yet the road to that tournament is unlikely to be straightforward.

Reuters pointed out that Ouahbi must first navigate two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, scheduled for 2027 and 2028, competitions that often determine the fate of coaches across the continent.

The pressure attached to the position is well known in Morocco. Ouahbi’s predecessor, Walid Regragui, departed after failing to deliver Africa Cup of Nations success despite leading the country to its historic World Cup semi-final appearance in Qatar.

Rather than looking too far ahead, Ouahbi insists Morocco must first establish themselves as consistent winners in Africa.

“We need to first qualify for the Cup of Nations and to win it. We need to take a step back and to see to it that we have a team that can make and generate dreams in the future. And win titles to ensure we’re on the right track,” he said, according to Reuters.

The Africa Cup of Nations remains an unresolved challenge for Morocco. Despite being one of Africa’s highest-ranked teams for much of the last decade, Morocco’s continental success has been limited.

Their only undisputed AFCON triumph came in 1976, although they were awarded the 2025 title after Senegal were stripped of the championship following a walk-off during the final in Rabat. That decision remains under appeal.

Morocco’s immediate focus now turns to the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in September, where they have been drawn alongside Gabon, Lesotho and Niger in what appears a favourable group.

However, Reuters reported that Ouahbi believes Morocco will need sterner tests if they are to realise their ambition of challenging for the World Cup trophy when they co-host the tournament in four years.

“Of course, the Cup of Nations is not the World Cup. This is a different type of competition, with opponents that have different styles of play,” Ouahbi said.

“So, when you’re not used to playing these types of styles, when you’re not prepared for a World Cup, you can get eliminated very quickly.”

For now, Morocco can reflect on another groundbreaking World Cup campaign. Yet with the eyes of the football world set to turn towards Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech in 2030, the Atlas Lions know their greatest challenge may still lie ahead.

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