The Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup continues with a particularly intriguing Europe-Africa matchup, as Switzerland faces Algeria at BC Place in Vancouver (6:00 a.m.), aiming to advance to the tournament’s Round of 16.

Murat Yakin’s team finished the group stage undefeated, topping Group B with seven points. The Swiss have once again demonstrated their consistency in major tournaments and are aiming to reach the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive World Cup.

Their biggest asset is the impressive Johan Manzabi, who has already scored three goals and provided one assist in the tournament, emerging as one of the standout players of the competition.

On the other hand, Algeria reached the knockout stage in dramatic fashion. They drew 3-3 with Austria in their final group stage match, a result that left them in third place in Group 10, but it was enough to secure their advancement as one of the best third-place finishers.

The match is also of particular importance to Algeria’s national team coach, Vladimir Petković, who spent seven years on Switzerland’s bench, leading the team to three major tournaments, including the 2018 World Cup.

The two teams have never faced each other in an official competition; their only previous encounters were two friendly matches in the 1980s, both of which Switzerland won.

The winner of this match will remain in Vancouver, where they will face the winner of the Colombia-Ghana match in the Round of 16.

Probable starting lineups:

Switzerland: Kobel, Zakaz, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, So, Manzabi, Vargas, Embolo.

Algeria: Benbot, Belgali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Aït-Nouri, Saïbi, Bentaleb, Mahrez, Mazza, Aouar, Guiri.

*photo source: AP