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Lionel Messi and Argentina facing Switzerland for the right to play England in the World Cup semifinal
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Major sports brands Adidas, Nike, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers have all released bright pink cleats for the 2026 World Cup, a trend driven by visibility on the field and players' desire to express confidence and personality.
- England's national soccer team has evolved from a history of underperformance and stereotypes to a beloved squad with a resilient, never-say-die attitude, highlighted by young stars like Jude Bellingham and veteran Harry Kane.
- Switzerland's captain Granit Xhaka, the country's most capped player and a key figure in their historic run to the World Cup quarterfinals, aims to lead his team to a semifinal spot for the first time since 1954.
- Defending champions Argentina have faced unexpected challenges in the knockout stages, narrowly escaping upsets against Cape Verde and Egypt with late dramatic comebacks, but remain strong contenders to advance further in the tournament.
