Switzerland to face Algeria and ex-coach Petkovic in World Cup knockout stage

Switzerland's journey in the 2026 World Cup will continue against Algeria in the Round of 16, setting up a reunion with Vladimir Petkovic, the former coach of the Swiss national team. Petkovic led the Swiss for seven years before taking the helm of the Algerian squad.

The Swiss team, who topped their group ahead of Canada, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Qatar, were initially expected to face Iran. However, Iran's elimination after a disallowed late goal paved the way for a clash with Algeria. The match is scheduled for Friday, July 3, in Vancouver.

Switzerland has a stated goal of reaching the quarterfinals, a stage they have not reached since the 1954 World Cup. This tournament marks their sixth consecutive appearance, having advanced past the group stage in four of the last five editions, only to be eliminated in the Round of 16 each time. Algeria, under Petkovic's guidance, presents the first hurdle in their quest to break this pattern.

Petkovic, a 62-year-old Sarajevo-born coach, has a significant history with Swiss football, having coached several domestic clubs before taking over the national team in 2014. He guided Switzerland to the Round of 16 in Euro 2016 and qualified them for the 2018 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the same stage. His tenure concluded after Euro 2020, and he later coached Girondins de Bordeaux before taking charge of Algeria in 2024, leading them to the current World Cup.

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Vimos todos los jugadores y entrenadores juntos el partido entre Argelia y Austria en el hotel. Fue un partido emocionante, con el marcador cambiando de manos varias veces en los minutos finales.