Switzerland and Colombia will clash in the World Cup round of 16 today, with a quarter-final place on the line – potentially against Argentina.
Granit Xhaka’s Swiss side overcame Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32, following a professional group-stage campaign in which they beat co-hosts Canada and thrashed Bosnia & Herzegovina, after surprisingly drawing with Qatar.
Meanwhile, Colombia escaped a group they shared with Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan, beating the latter two and drawing with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side. They then edged past Ghana in the last 32 to set up today’s clash.
And Argentina await in the quarter-finals for whoever gets through here, after the reigning world champions came from 2-0 down to dramatically beat Egypt 3-2 earlier today.
Follow live updates from the World Cup last-16 game, below:
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Switzerland v Colombia LIVE
- Switzerland and Colombia square off in World Cup last-16 tie in Vancouver | Live on ITV1
- Both sides topped their groups, with Colombia finishing ahead of Portugal in their pool
- Switzerland saw off Algeria in round of 32, while Colombia edged past Ghana
- Switzerland XI: Kobel; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Zakaria, Freuler, Xhaka, Jashari, Rieder; Embolo, Ndoye.
- Colombia XI: Vargas; Munoz, Lucumi, Puerta, Mojica, Sanchez; Rodriguez, Arias, Lerma; Diaz, Suarez.
Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
21:03 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Some early possession for the Swiss, though it’s given away cheaply by Akanji.
Colombia have their first venture towards the Switzerland box but it comes to nothing.
KICK-OFF! Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
21:00 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Vancouver!
Switzerland vs Colombia
20:56 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out at BC Place, and we’ll be underway shortly after the national anthems.
Switzerland vs Colombia
20:52 , Chris WilsonUnder 10 minutes until kick-off in the final last-16 tie at the 2026 World Cup.
We’ve had some classics in this round already...will we see another this evening?
Switzerland vs Colombia
20:48 , Chris Wilson
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every knockout game live in the UK
20:44 , Chris WilsonThe last-16 of the 2026 World Cup is delivering bucketloads of drama for fans to watch live on television.
Every single game in the competition is available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers.
Of course, you do have to factor in the time difference, with the kinder kick-off times including slots at 6pm BST and 8pm BST, while there are games throughout the night for UK viewers.
Here’s how you can watch every game at the 2026 World Cup on the BBC and ITV – and STV in Scotland.
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every knockout game live in the UK
Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything
20:40 , Chris WilsonThe report from the biggest game of the day...
Lionel Messi changed pace and transformed another World Cup epic.
One of greatest ever knock-out upsets becomes one of the greatest ever comebacks. Egypt might call it one of the great injustices. Argentina, for now, won’t care.
This 3-2 victory over a spirited and justifiably aggrieved Egypt again exposed so many issues, but also so much fortitude - not least that of probably the greatest player of all time.
The defending champions badly lack the quality and energy of 2022, but they have Messi and they have fight, and that makes them maybe the most box-office team of this tournament.
Argentina were doomed – then Lionel Messi did this to change everything
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
20:36 , Chris WilsonThere’s an axiom in American politics that has formed the title of a bestselling book: “Everything Trump touches dies.”
US Soccer duly saw the ultimate pride before a fall. After Donald Trump had boasted about his intervention in the Folarin Balogun case, it only ended up informing – and infusing – a humiliating defeat for the USA.
There’s an argument that the 4-1 defeat to Belgium might actually have been the best thing for Fifa, given the crisis that was engulfing the body over the previous 36 hours, and that’s probably true in the short term. Belgium don’t have the incentive to pursue action in the same way as if Balogun had scored the winner in a US victory.
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of the World Cup only leads to one thing
Switzerland vs Colombia
20:30 , Chris Wilson
Lionel Messi in tears after dramatic Argentina win over Egypt in World Cup last 16
20:20 , Chris WilsonReaction to one of the great World Cup comebacks this evening...
Lionel Messi was left in tears after helping inspire Argentina to a dramatic comeback win over Egypt and book their place in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals.
While Cristiano Ronaldo was crying as he exited the World Cup stage for likely the final time following Portugal’s late 1-0 loss to Spain last night, 24 hours later his great rival Messi was shedding tears of pure relief.
Reigning champions Argentina looked set for a shock exit at the hands of a valiant Egypt team as they trailed 2-0 with just 11 minutes left to play in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi in tears after dramatic Argentina win over Egypt in World Cup last 16
World Cup 2026: Quarter-final fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
20:12 , Chris WilsonThe quarter-finals for the 2026 World Cup are in the process of being set - with England having booked their spot.
A 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico on Sunday night set up a mouthwatering clash between Norway and the Three Lions in Miami at 10pm BST on Saturday. Also set is France’s meeting with Morocco on Thursday at 9pm in Boston.
There are 104 matches in North America this summer, up by 40 since the Qatar World Cup in 2022, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
World Cup 2026: Quarter-final fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
Who will the winner face?
20:00 , Chris WilsonThe winner of the match will be pitted against Argentina in a quarter-final match on Sunday 11 July in Kansas City.
Line-ups
19:51 , Chris WilsonColombia XI: Vargas; Munoz, Lucumi, Puerta, Mojica, Sanchez; Rodriguez, Arias, Lerma; Diaz, Suarez.
Line-ups
19:50 , Chris WilsonSwitzerland XI: Kobel; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Zakaria, Freuler, Xhaka, Jashari, Rieder; Embolo, Ndoye.
When is Switzerland vs Colombia?
19:40 , Chris WilsonSwitzerland’s clash with Colombia kicks off at 9pm BST on Tuesday 7 July at BC Place Vancouver.
How can I watch it?
The match will be shown in the UK on ITV1 and streamed on ITVX.
Predicted line-ups
19:34 , Chris WilsonSwitzerland XI: Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Ndoye, Manzambi, Vargas; Embolo.
Colombia XI: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Arias, Puerta; Rodriguez, Suarez, Diaz.
Team news
19:30 , Chris WilsonColombia’s Jhon Cordoba has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a hamstring strain in the opening stages of their round of 32 tie against Ghana.
Team news
19:28 , Chris WilsonSwitzerland have doubts over the fitness of midfielder Michel Aebischer and centre-back Luca Jacquez, both of whom have been nursing muscle problems.
Switzerland v Colombia
19:25 , Chris WilsonColombia and Switzerland meet in a clash of World Cup dark horses as both vie for a place in the quarter-finals.
Colombia have been something of a surprise package this year, topping their group ahead of Portugal before defeating Ghana - who held England to a draw - in the last-32.
They now meet a Switzerland side who have slightly gone under the radar, bouncing back from a shock draw to Qatar in their opening group game with three straight wins.
Holders Argentina could await the winners of this contest, which would open the door to a potentially historic upset.
Switzerland v Colombia
19:17 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of Switzerland v Colombia as the final place in the World Cup quarter-finals is up for grabs.
The winners will face Argentina, after their remarkable comeback against Egypt
