Former England striker Robbie Fowler has backed defending champions Argentina to find a way past a disciplined Switzerland side in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals, warning that no single-player defensive focus will be enough to stop the South Americans. Fowler, speaking as part of the Zee5 FIFA World Cup 2026 expert panel, made his assessment ahead of a high-stakes last-eight tie that will determine one of the four semi-final berths.

Why Argentina Are So Hard to Stop

Fowler was emphatic that Argentina's danger is collective, not individual — even with Lionel Messi on the pitch. 'It's extremely difficult because you're not dealing with just one player. Messi and Alvarez are constantly on the move, so defenders have to stay alert throughout the game. The key isn't focusing on stopping one individual, but having a collective defensive structure. If you concentrate too much on Messi or Alvarez, players like Enzo Fernandez or others can step up and hurt you,' Fowler said.

The Liverpool legend elaborated on the tactical mechanics that make Argentina so effective against organised defences. 'Argentina may not always counter at lightning speed, but their quick one-touch passing and clever off-the-ball movement constantly create angles and spaces. Breaking down organised defences requires vision, timing and technical quality, and that's what Argentina do exceptionally well,' he added.

What Switzerland Must Do Differently

Fowler cautioned that a purely defensive approach will ultimately fail against this Argentina side. 'If you simply spend 90 minutes defending, Argentina will eventually find a way through. Switzerland have to remain disciplined, but they also need to recognise the right moments to get on the front foot, play through Argentina's press and put their defence under pressure. Team structure and balance will be far more important than focusing on one individual like Messi,' he said.

This comes amid wider recognition at the tournament that passive defensive strategies have repeatedly been punished by top-tier attacking sides, with Argentina's movement-based system proving particularly difficult to contain.

England vs Norway: Kane, Haaland and the Midfield Edge

In the other blockbuster quarter-final, England take on Norway, with Harry Kane and Erling Haaland set to headline a compelling duel between two of Europe's most potent attacking sides. Fowler believes England hold an advantage in the engine room. 'On paper, England have the stronger midfield. Declan Rice has been excellent, Elliot Anderson has quietly done his job, and Jude Bellingham has been one of the standout players of the tournament,' he said.

Fowler also highlighted the tactical interplay between Kane and Bellingham as a potential match-winner. 'Kane dropping deep creates space behind the defence, while Bellingham has timed those late runs brilliantly throughout the tournament. That understanding could be one of the key factors in breaking down Norway,' he noted. On Rice, Fowler was equally direct: 'Rice is absolutely vital because he provides stability and allows England's attacking players the freedom to create.'

Containing Haaland the Key Defensive Task

With Erling Haaland posing an ever-present threat, Fowler stressed that England cannot afford individual defensive lapses. 'Ideally, you want to stop the service reaching Haaland, but players of his quality only need one or two opportunities to score. England have to work collectively, limit the supply and stay organised defensively,' he said.

Notably, both Kane and Haaland bring value beyond their goal tallies. 'Haaland and Kane's biggest quality after goalscoring is their presence. They create space for teammates, their movement is among the very best in world football, and they make everyone around them better,' Fowler observed.

Smaller Nations the Surprise Package of 2026

Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Fowler singled out the performances of football's emerging nations as the defining story of FIFA World Cup 2026. 'The exciting thing for me has been seeing teams like Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo come in and compete. It shows that if you're fit and organised, you can compete with anyone. The favourites have still progressed, but not as comfortably as many expected, and that's probably been the most exciting part of the tournament for me,' Fowler concluded.

The quarter-finals are poised to deliver two of the most tactically absorbing matches of the tournament, with both ties likely to be decided by fine margins and collective organisation rather than individual brilliance alone.