Switzerland and Colombia meet in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday at 9pm (UK time) with both sides hoping to reach the quarter-finals.
Switzerland have done well at the World Cup so far, dealing with the obstacles put in front of them very well. They finished top of their group unbeaten with seven points, winning twice and drawing once. It was just the second time they had been unbeaten in the group stage, after doing so in 2006. But they have now won more games this summer than they have in any previous World Cup. Switzerland got their third win of the tournament in beating Algeria to reach the last-16 for the fourth successive World Cup.
Colombia, meanwhile, are in the World Cup last-16 for the fourth time in their history. It’s a welcome return after their absence in 2022. The South American side finished top of their group, perhaps with a slight shock, taking seven points from three games. That placed them above group favourites Portugal and set up a last-32 tie against Ghana. Colombia did the business early against their African opponents, winning 1-0 thanks to Jhon Arias’ first-half goal.
This will be the fifth game between these two sides. One of the previous meetings came at the 1994 World Cup, with Colombia winning that match 2-0.
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Switzerland vs Colombia team news
Switzerland team news
Denis Zakaria returned to the starting lineup against Algeria, for the first time since Switzerland’s opening game. The midfielder-turned-right-back was one of the best players in the last-32, but had to come off late on with an injury worry. However, it appears to have only been cautionary, so Zakaria is likely to start as part of an unchanged defence.
Zakaria will be joined by Ricardo Rodriguez, Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi in the backline, with Gregor Kobel in goal. Murat Yakin is likely to continue with the 4-2-3-1 that has served his side so well in their past two games. That will see Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler as the double pivot.
Breel Embolo will lead the line for Switzerland, as he has done all tournament. The striker scored the opening goal in the win over Algeria last time out. Johan Manzambi will continue in the No.10 role behind him, having played his way into the starting lineup. Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas are expected to continue on the wings.
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Colombia team news
Jhon Cordoba had to come off just eight minutes into Colombia’s win over Ghana due to injury. He was replaced by Luis Suarez, whom Cordoba had deposed from the starting lineup for the past two matches. So Suarez will return in a straight swap, should Cordoba miss out as is expected. Jhon Arias should continue on the right wing, after scoring the only goal to send Colombia to the last-16, with Luis Diaz on the right.
Should Lorenzo keep with a midfield trio, James Rodriguez will start in a deeper midfield position as one of the No.8s. But the Colombia captain can operate further forward in the No.10 if needed. Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta will make up the rest of the midfield, whether in a three or as the double pivot. They have started all four World Cup games so far.
The defence is likely to remain unchanged too. Lorenzo has named the same back four and goalkeeper combination in three of Colombia’s four games so far. Daniel Munoz and Johan Mojica will start as the full-backs, with Jhon Lucumi and Davinson Sanchez the centre-back pairing. Camilo Vargas will start in goal.
Switzerland vs Colombia predicted lineups
Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo.
Colombia (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Rodriguez, Lerma, Puerta; J Arias, Suarez, Diaz.
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