Latin America Sports Daily for Friday, July 10, 2026

Argentina brace for Switzerland in Kansas City with a semi-final at stake

Preview

The reigning world champions play the last of the four quarter-finals, against Switzerland on Saturday at 9pm ET at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. For international readers: the Albiceleste — Argentina’s nickname, from their sky-blue-and-white shirts — are the only Latin American side left in this World Cup.

They arrive on an emotional high. Argentina trailed Egypt 2-0 in the round of 16 before scoring three times in 11 minutes — a Cristian Romero header, a Lionel Messi equaliser from inside the box, and Enzo Fernández’s headed winner on 92 minutes, a comeback so draining that Messi himself ended the celebrations in tears.

Switzerland are no pushovers: they reached the last eight by beating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout, though they have a doubt over Johan Manzambi, their best player at the tournament, who missed the round of 16 through injury.

Coach Lionel Scaloni has selection puzzles of his own. His two open positions are right-back — Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel — and centre-forward, where Julián Álvarez’s fatigue has put Egypt hero Lautaro Martínez in contention, while Romero is short of full fitness but expected to start. Portugal’s João Pinheiro will referee.

History leans Argentine: the sides have met twice at World Cups, with Argentina winning 2-0 in 1966 and 1-0 after extra time in 2014 thanks to Ángel di María. The winner faces England or Norway in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15, at 3pm ET.

Spain v Belgium today at SoFi Stadium after France cruise past Morocco

World Cup

Today’s only fixture is a heavyweight one: Spain v Belgium, 3pm ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with England’s Michael Oliver taking the whistle.

The prize is a date with France. Les Bleus beat Morocco 2-0 in Boston on Thursday, Mbappé striking on the hour and Dembélé adding the second six minutes later — their fifth multi-goal win in six matches at this tournament.

There was one French worry: Mbappé went down with an apparent muscular complaint about 15 minutes from time and was immediately substituted, though he was later seen laughing on the bench.

Spain have been solid rather than spectacular — they edged Portugal 1-0 through a late Mikel Merino goal and goalkeeper Unai Simón has yet to concede. Belgium, a young side under Rudi García, turned around an extraordinary game against Senegal and then overwhelmed the United States in the round of 16.

Today’s winner meets France on Tuesday, July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, kicking off at 3pm ET.

How Latin America’s World Cup unravelled — and why Argentina carry a continent

Analysis

A tournament staged partly on Latin American soil has been cruel to the region: all three co-hosts are out, with Mexico falling to England, and every South American challenger bar Argentina has gone home.

Brazil’s exit stung most. Norway beat the five-time champions 2-1 on a double from Erling Haaland, with Neymar’s late goal proving insufficient — a result that ranks among the shocks of the tournament.

Mexico at least fell with honour at home: England won 3-2 in a memorable match at the Estadio Azteca through a Jude Bellingham double and a Harry Kane goal, with Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scoring for El Tri.

The margins elsewhere were brutal — Colombia lost 4-3 on penalties to Switzerland after a goalless draw, and Paraguay went out 1-0 to France via a Kylian Mbappé penalty. Ecuador even beat Germany 2-1 in the group stage before exiting to Mexico in the round of 32.

One consolation for neutral watchers this weekend: the Golden Boot has become a four-man race, and two of the contenders, Norway’s Haaland and England’s Kane, meet on Saturday at 5pm ET in Miami Gardens.

Club football is coming back: Brasileirão on July 16, Libertadores in August

Football

For readers missing club action, relief is near. The Brasileirão — Brazil’s top flight, paused for the World Cup — resumes with round 19 on July 16, before the tournament’s July 19 final, opening with simultaneous games Botafogo v Santos and Vitória v Vasco at 7.30pm local time.

The Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, follows: the round of 16 runs from August 11 to 20, quarter-finals from September 8 to 17, and the single-match final is set for November 28 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The draw has produced genuine spice — headline ties include Cruzeiro v Flamengo, Palmeiras v Cerro Porteño and Rosario Central v Corinthians, with Flamengo defending the crown.

Watch the underdogs too: debutants Independiente Rivadavia of Mendoza topped their group by eight points and now face Fluminense, while Platense won 2-0 away to Corinthians to reach the last 16, where they will play Coquimbo Unido.

Beyond football: Wimbledon’s final weekend and a Formula 1 breather

Feature

At Wimbledon, both men’s semi-finals are today on Centre Court: Alexander Zverev against British wild card Arthur Fery not before 1.30pm BST, followed by defending champion Jannik Sinner against Novak Djokovic — the Serb chasing a record-extending 25th major.

Saturday’s women’s final will be an all-Czech affair after Karolina Muchova’s three-set thriller over Coco Gauff and Linda Noskova’s straight-sets win against Marta Kostyuk — no Latin American involvement, but a first-time champion is guaranteed.

Formula 1, hugely followed across the region, is between rounds: the British Grand Prix was round nine on July 3-5, and round ten in Belgium runs July 17-19. Latin America’s turn comes later in the year, with the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 23-25 and the São Paulo Grand Prix on November 6-8.

More: Morocco news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When do Argentina play Switzerland, and what time is kick-off where I live?

Argentina v Switzerland is on Saturday, July 11, kicking off at 8pm local time in Kansas City — 10pm in Buenos Aires and 7pm in Mexico City; that is 9pm ET. In the United States the match airs on Fox.

The venue is the Kansas City stadium in Missouri, which FIFA lists at a capacity of 69,045 — better known to