Switzerland vs Colombia Prediction. Switzerland face Colombia — the tournament’s best defensive side — at BC Place, Vancouver on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 (20:00 UTC / 23:00 EAT). Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in the R32; Colombia edged Ghana 1-0 through an Arias goal. Zakaria and Jaquez are both ruled out for Switzerland. Our prediction: both teams to score. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Round of 16 |
| Date & kick-off | Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 20:00 UTC / 23:00 EAT |
| Venue | BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| How they got here | Switzerland: beat Algeria 2-0 in the R32. Colombia: beat Ghana 1-0 (Arias 14’) in the R32 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. |
| Format | Single elimination. If level after 90 mins: 30 mins extra time, then penalty shoot-out. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Switzerland’s history-making run vs Colombia’s iron defence
Switzerland are living history. Their 2-0 win over Algeria in the Round of 32 gave them three consecutive World Cup victories for the first time in their history, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches. Nine goals scored in the tournament reflects an attacking output that belies their reputation as a defensive-minded European side. Murat Yakin’s team have been one of the most cohesive and well-organised sides in the competition.
The standout Switzerland story is Johan Manzambi, who has five goal contributions in the tournament — a record for under-21 players in the last six decades of World Cup history, surpassed only by Thomas Müller’s contributions in that same period. Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas retain their attacking wide roles, and Breel Embolo continues to lead the line. Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler provide the defensive midfield platform.
However, Switzerland carry two significant absences. Denis Zakaria and Luca Jaquez are both ruled out with injuries. Jaquez had been filling in at right-back, and his absence leaves a gap that Yakin must address before kick-off.
Colombia have been the tournament’s most defensively formidable team. With only one goal conceded in five matches — the best record in the entire competition — Néstor Lorenzo’s side have demonstrated an ability to absorb pressure and strike effectively on the counter. Their 1-0 win over Ghana was controlled and professional, with Jhon Arias scoring in the 14th minute. Arias has scored three in his last five games and carries real threat from his advanced midfield position.
James Rodríguez, still the creative heartbeat at 33, starts alongside Jhon Córdoba up front and Luis Díaz on the left. Daniel Muñoz, Colombia’s tournament top scorer, provides both defensive and attacking contributions from right-back. This is a match Colombia will approach with confidence: their best-ever World Cup showing was a quarter-final in 2014, and victory here matches that.
Availability
| Player | Status |
| Denis Zakaria (Switzerland) | OUT — injury. Ruled out of this match. |
| Luca Jaquez (Switzerland, RB) | OUT — injury. Was covering right-back. Replacement to be confirmed before kick-off. |
Team news and expected line-ups
Switzerland: Zakaria and Jaquez both out. Right-back replacement TBC. Ndoye and Vargas retain wide roles. Manzambi in advanced midfield. Embolo leads.
Colombia: No changes. Arias starts after decisive Ghana goal. James orchestrates. Díaz and Córdoba in attack. Muñoz at right-back.
| Switzerland (4-2-3-1 expected) | Colombia (4-3-3 expected) |
| Kobel (GK) | Camilo Vargas (GK) |
| Widmer/Replacement (RB) | Muñoz (RB) |
| Elvedi (CB) | Sánchez (CB) |
| Akanji (CB) | Lucumí (CB) |
| Rodriguez (LB) | Mojica (LB) |
| Freuler (DM) | Rios (DM) |
| Xhaka (DM) | Lerma (CM) |
| Ndoye (RM) | Arias (RM) |
| Manzambi (AM) | James (AM) |
| Vargas (LM) | Díaz (LW) |
| Embolo (ST) | Córdoba (ST) |
Key stats
- Switzerland: R32 result — beat Algeria 2-0.
- Switzerland: 3 consecutive World Cup wins — first time in their history.
- Switzerland: 7-match unbeaten streak. 9 goals scored in the tournament.
- Johan Manzambi: 5 goal contributions — record for under-21 players in 60 years of World Cup history.
- Denis Zakaria: OUT — injury. Luca Jaquez: OUT — injury (was covering right-back).
- Breel Embolo: leads the attack. Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas retain wide roles.
- Switzerland form: W W W D D — unbeaten in 7.
- Colombia: R32 result — beat Ghana 1-0 (Arias 14’) at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City.
- Colombia: 1 goal conceded in 5 WC matches — best defensive record in the tournament.
- Colombia: unbeaten in last 6 matches (W5 D1).
- Jhon Arias: scored the decisive goal vs Ghana. 3 goals in last 5 games.
- James Rodríguez: creative leader. Still orchestrating at 33.
- Luis Díaz: key attacking threat from the left.
- Jhon Córdoba: confirmed starting striker — resolved earlier token from session files.
- Daniel Muñoz: tournament top scorer from right-back; goal involvements throughout.
- H2H: Colombia W2 Switzerland W1 from 3 meetings. No draws in any previous encounter.
Head-to-head
Colombia lead the head-to-head, winning two of the three previous meetings between the nations. Notably there has never been a draw in any of their three encounters. Colombia won 3-1 in 2007 and 2-0 in 1994, while Switzerland won 3-2 in 1991.
| Date | Result |
| 25 March 2007 | Colombia 3–1 Switzerland |
| 27 June 1994 | Switzerland 0–2 Colombia (1994 World Cup group stage) |
| 4 February 1991 | Colombia 2–3 Switzerland |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Switzerland | W W W D D — 7-match unbeaten run; beat Algeria 2-0 in R32 |
| Colombia | W D W W W — 5 wins in last 6; only 1 WC goal conceded |
Our prediction
Switzerland’s nine tournament goals and attacking quality through Manzambi, Ndoye, Vargas and Embolo give them a genuine threat in the final third. Their ability to find the net consistently through the group stage and R32 makes them capable of breaking down Colombia’s defensive structure.
Colombia’s single goal conceded in five matches represents the most miserly defence in the competition. Muñoz, Arias, James and Díaz also carry real counter-attacking quality that can test Switzerland’s backline — particularly with Jaquez absent. The H2H shows no draws in three meetings. Both teams have shown they can score when it matters.
Our prediction: both teams to score.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 2300 hrs UTC on 07/07/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Switzerland vs Colombia event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Switzerland vs Colombia kick off?
Kick-off is at 20:00 UTC / 23:00 EAT on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
How did Switzerland beat Algeria?
Switzerland beat Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32, extending their unbeaten run to seven matches and giving the Swiss their first-ever run of three consecutive World Cup wins.
How did Colombia beat Ghana?
Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City in the Round of 32. Jhon Arias scored in the 14th minute, and Colombia’s defensive organisation held firm to protect the lead.
Who is Johan Manzambi?
Johan Manzambi is a young Switzerland forward who has accumulated five goal contributions at this World Cup. This makes him one of the most impactful under-21 players in World Cup history over the last six decades, according to the KE article.
Are Zakaria and Jaquez playing for Switzerland?
No. Both Denis Zakaria and Luca Jaquez have been ruled out through injury. Jaquez had been covering the right-back position. Switzerland will need to confirm a replacement before kick-off.
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