Switzerland vs Algeria Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
Both of these sides will sense a brilliant opportunity to go deep at FIFA World Cup 2026 as Switzerland take on Algeria in the Round of 32 in Vancouver, Canada.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Switzerland preview: Impressive Swiss
Switzerland come into the knockout stages on the back of edging past co-hosts Canada to top spot in Group B. Murat Yakin’s side, who reached the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024, collected seven points from their three group stage matches.
Having been stunned by a 1-1 draw against Qatar in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Swiss did then hammer Bosnia and Herzegovina by four goals to one in Los Angeles with all five goals in that game coming after the 74th minute, before they then beat Canada 2-1 in Vancouver.
Algeria preview: In dramatic fashion
In their final game in the group stage against Austria, a draw would have been ideal for both with an Algeria win actually eliminating Austria but presenting the North Africans with an unwanted tie against Spain. There was then some surprise as a bizarrely entertaining game saw Riyad Mahrez score a late goal to put Algeria ahead before Sasa Kalajdzic did then equalise for the Austrians deep into second-half stoppage-time.
Vladimir Petkovic’s side were enterprising early on in their opener against Argentina before succumbing to a Lionel Messi hat-trick in a 3-0 defeat, before they then came from behind to defeat Jordan by two goals to one, with Mahrez coming to the party to assist Amine Gouiri’s winning goal.
Switzerland team news: Discovering their best eleven
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
During the second-half hydration break against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Murat Yakin took the decision to bring on Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi - the pair changed the game before again impressing against Canada.
Luca Jaquez came in at right-back against the Canadians ahead of Silvan Widmer but Widmer is expected to come back in alongside Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez in defence.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Sow, Freuler, Xhaka; Manzambi, Embolo, Vargas
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Algeria team news: Mahrez the star again
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Having been left on the bench against Argentina in their opener, former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has broken back into the side to score a brace against Austria in their final game after a crucial match-winning assist against the Jordanians.
He is expected to be again alongside both Ibrahim Maza and Fares Chaibi in behind Marseille striker Amine Gouiri, with Nabil Bentaleb now partnering Houssem Aouar in a technically gifted midfield. Rayan Ait-Nouri could return to the eleven ahead of Jaouen Hadjam, while Luca Zidane was dropped ahead of the game with Austria.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Benbot; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Aouar, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Maza, Chaibi; Gouiri
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Switzerland’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Ruben Vargas ($6.8m) – Midfielder
Johan Manzambi ($5.6m) – Midfielder
Breel Embolo ($7.5m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Breel Embolo
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Granit Xhaka, Breel Embolo
Free kicks: Granit Xhaka
Corners: Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder
Algeria’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Rayan Ait-Nouri ($4.9m) – Defender
Riyad Mahrez ($6.5m) – Midfielder
Amine Gouiri ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Riyad Mahrez
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Riyad Mahrez, Nabil Bentaleb
Free kicks: Riyad Mahrez, Fares Chaibi
Corners: Riyad Mahrez, Fares Chaibi
Key stats
- The sides have met twice previously, both in friendlies: Switzerland won 2-1 in Algeria in 1983 and followed up with a 2-0 victory in Geneva in 1986.
- Switzerland have lost only one of their last 17 international matches (W10 D6).
- Switzerland are participating in the knockout phase for the sixth time in their last seven World Cup campaigns.
- Switzerland last prevailed in a FIFA World Cup elimination match in 1954, defeating Italy 4-1 in a play‑off to secure second place in their group and advance to the quarter‑finals.
- Algeria have progressed to the knockout stage for just the second time, having achieved the feat in their last participation back in 2014 when they held eventual champions Germany to a draw in regular time, before bowing out 2-1 in extra-time in the Round of 16.
- Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković was Murat Yakin’s predecessor as Switzerland head coach, assuming the role from 2014-21 and leading Switzerland to the Round of 16 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the same stage of UEFA Euro 2016 and the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2020.
- Switzerland’s Grant Xhaka could make his 150th appearance for the nation, which would make him the first Swiss player to reach the landmark.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Switzerland vs Algeria prediction
Switzerland have been knocked out in the Round of 16 in four of the last five FIFA World Cups and they haven’t made it to the quarter-finals since 1954. Both themselves and Algeria will sense a brilliant opportunity here with the winner facing either Colombia or Ghana in an open section of the draw
The Swiss have been steadily improving in UEFA European Championships and they have knocked on the door of Europe’s elite, and the way in which they professionally dealt with co-hosts Canada in their most recent outing was impressive.
Algeria do boast some quality, though, especially in attack, as they showed against Austria, and so while the Europeans do remain favourites, both teams scoring would appear a decent bet for this one in Canada.
Switzerland vs Algeria betting tip: Both teams to score
