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Switzerland vs Colombia preview: Team news, possible lineups in World Cup clash
07th July, 2026 09:33 PM
Switzerland and Colombia will go head-to-head in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 8, 2026, at Vancouver Stadium, with both nations aiming to keep their title hopes alive.
The Swiss reached this stage after defeating Algeria 2-0 in the previous knockout round, while Colombia edged Ghana 1-0 to secure their place among the final 16.
Match preview
Switzerland have steadily gathered momentum after an underwhelming start to their World Cup campaign. Murat Yakin’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against Qatar but have since recorded three consecutive victories to emerge as one of the tournament’s in-form teams.
Their turnaround began with a commanding 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a remarkable encounter in which all five goals arrived during the closing stages. Second-half substitutes Johan Manzambi and Ruben Vargas transformed the contest with influential displays.
Impressed by their impact, Yakin handed both players starting roles in Switzerland’s final group match against co-hosts Canada, where they earned a 2-1 victory to finish top of Group B and progress to the knockout rounds.
The pair continued their excellent form against Algeria in the Round of 32. Manzambi played a crucial role by creating the opening goal for Breel Embolo just 10 minutes into the match as Switzerland comfortably advanced.
With confidence growing after every outing, the Europeans will return to Vancouver believing they have what it takes to extend their winning run.
Colombia, however, arrive in equally impressive form. Nestor Lorenzo’s team have gone six matches without defeat, collecting five victories and one draw during that stretch.
Their only dropped points came in a scoreless encounter with Portugal in the final group-stage fixture. Colombia thought they had snatched victory deep into stoppage time, only for Davinson Sanchez’s effort to be ruled out for offside.
Despite that disappointment, Los Cafeteros finished first in Group K before overcoming Ghana 1-0 in the knockout stage.
Although striker Jhon Cordoba suffered an early injury in that match, Colombia still found a way through a Ghanaian defence that had previously frustrated England with a goalless draw in the group phase.
Defensively, the South Americans have been among the tournament’s strongest teams. They have recorded three straight clean sheets and have conceded only once during the World Cup, in their opening 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.
Team news
Switzerland remain uncertain over the availability of Michel Aebischer, who continues his recovery from a muscle injury through individual training sessions.
Defender Luca Jaquez is also racing against time after suffering a muscle problem and has yet to return to full team training.
Should both players fail to recover, Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler are expected to anchor the midfield behind attacking playmaker Johan Manzambi, while Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi are likely to continue as the central defensive partnership.
Colombia have already been forced into one major change. Forward Jhon Cordoba has been ruled out for the remainder of the competition after sustaining a hamstring injury against Ghana.
His replacement, Sporting Lisbon striker Luis Suarez, made an immediate impact by setting up the winning goal after coming off the bench and is widely expected to start against Switzerland.
Possible starting XIs
Switzerland: Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo.
Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Arias, Puerta; Rodriguez, Suarez, Diaz.
