Switzerland vs Algeria LIVE: World Cup 2026 last 32 team news, build-up & latest updates

Reasons for Swiss optimism?

Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

Chris Collinson

BBC football statistician

There are reasons for Switzerland to be confident that they can bring their knockout stage hoodoo to an end.

This is the first time they’ve faced an African side in a knockout fixture and they’ve won both of their previous two World Cup games against nations from that continent, winning 2-0 against Togo in 2006 and 1-0 against Cameroon four years ago.

Also, Algeria have a very poor record of their own against European opposition. They haven’t won any of their last nine World Cup games against teams from Europe, drawing four and losing five.

Their only victory was in their first-ever World Cup game in 1982, when they won 2-1 against Germany. But they did come very close to another win in their last game, with Austria scoring a 96th-minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw.

Can Swiss end knockout curse?

Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

Chris Collinson

BBC football statistician

Switzerland will face Algeria in the Round of 32 hoping they can do something they last achieved back in 1938 – win a knockout game at the World Cup.

The Swiss have been eliminated in each of their past seven knockout games at the tournament, with their last victory a 4-2 win against Germany in a Round of 16 replay 88 years ago.

The closest they’ve come since then was a last 16 game against Ukraine in 2006, when they lost 3-0 on penalties after a goalless draw.

Team news - Luca Jaquez out for Swiss, three changes for Algeria

Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

Switzerland boss Murat Yakin has made two changes to the starting XI that faced Canada. One of them is forced as Luca Jaquez is out with a muscle problem while Djibril Sow also drops out. Denis Zakaria and Dan Ndoye come in to the team.

Switzerland XI: Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo.

Algeria have made three changes to the starting XI from that dramatic draw with Austria – Luca Zidane returns in goal and Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Ramiz Zerrouki come in for Amine Gouiri, Jaouen Hadjam, and Oussama Benbot for Vladimir Petkovic's side.

Algeria XI: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Zerrouki, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Aouar, Chaibi; Maza.

What have you missed?

Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

If you've just woken up then probably quite a bit.

It seems a long time ago now, but Spain put on a clinic to overcome Austria in Los Angeles and secure their first knockout victory since winning the 2010 final.

Click here for the match report.

And then earlier this morning came one of the games of this, or any tournament, especially in the second half, which lasted well over an hour.

Portugal beat Croatia in a match packed with drama, controversy and emotion.

Click here to read all about it.

Good morning!

Switzerland v Algeria (04:00 BST)

Have we got a juicy worm for you early birds?

Switzerland and Algeria, two fun teams to watch, blessed with a mix of exciting young talent and wise old heads, seeking to break new ground and reach the last-16.

Perfect.

On what has been a breathtaking night of World Cup action across the pond, here's hoping there's some magic left in the cup for us this morning.

Kick-off is at 4am, so let's bring you up to speed...

Click here to read article