Switzerland and Colombia collide at World Cup 2026 tonight, with the last quarter-final spot up for grabs.
Murat Yakin’s Swiss side came through Algeria 2-0 comfortably to reach the round-of-16 stage, while Colombia saw off Ghana 1-0.
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Right-back Silvan Widmer should be fit for Switzerland, though Johan Manzambi, Ruben Vargas and Djibril Sow all leaving training early on Monday has given them real cause for concern.
They have also been closely monitoring captain Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Breel Embolo due to what they described as “muscular overload”.
That is in addition to Luca Jaquez and Michel Aebischer also struggling with injuries.
Colombia, meanwhile, lost striker Jhon Cordoba for the remainder of the tournament after he suffered an adductor tear against Ghana.
For Switzerland, Yakin usually lines them up in a 4-2-3-1 system, and Gregor Kobel is their undoubted No1.
Denis Zakaria has been fielded as a makeshift right-back this summer and could continue there on Tuesday, with Ricardo Rodriguez, a Swiss stalwart, at left-back.
Nico Elvedi should partner Akanji in central defence. In midfield, Remo Freuler, formerly of Nottingham Forest, joins Sunderland’s Xhaka.
Ahead of them, Vargas is another familiar face off the left if fit, while Dan Ndoye should keep his place on the right.
The in-form Manzambi, if ready, could be handed a free role behind lone striker Embolo.
For the Colombians, expect a 4-3-3 formation from Argentine head coach Nestor Lorenzo.
Camilo Vargas has made himself the first-choice goalkeeper at this tournament, and he is shielded by a back four of Daniel Munoz, the goalscoring Crystal Palace right-back, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi and Johan Mojica.
Jefferson Lerma anchors the midfield trio, flanked by Jhon Arias and Gustavo Puerta, while Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz is the one to watch off the left.
Luis Suarez is likely to lead the line in Cordoba’s absence, and James Rodriguez, the former Real Madrid and Everton playmaker, is handed a free role from the right, drifting infield onto his left foot.
Predicted Switzerland XI (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo
Doubts: Manzambi, Vargas, Sow, Jaquez, Aebischer
Predicted Colombia XI (4-3-3): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, Arias; Rodriguez, Suarez, Diaz
Injured: Cordoba
Time and date: 9pm BST on Tuesday July 7, 2026
Venue: BC Place, Vancouver
How to watch: ITV
