2026 FIFA World Cup | Round of 32 | Friday July 3
- Algeria 0-2 Switzerland
Africa’s numbers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to shrink after Algeria were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland in the Round of 32 at BC Place in Vancouver on Friday.
The North Africans struggled to match a well-drilled Swiss side that struck early and never looked back.
Switzerland took the lead after just 10 minutes when Johan Manzambi raced down the left and picked out Breel Embolo, who finished from close range to put the Europeans in control.
Any hopes of an Algerian comeback disappeared moments after halftime. Dan Ndoye fired through a crowded penalty area, and goalkeeper Luca Zidane could only help the ball into the net as Switzerland doubled their advantage.
Algeria failed to find a response as Switzerland comfortably saw out the match to book a Round of 16 clash against either Colombia or Ghana on July 7.
The defeat is another setback for Africa, with Algeria joining Senegal, Ivory Coast and DR Congo among the teams already eliminated. South Africa also exited after a narrow defeat to hosts Canada, leaving Morocco as the only African nation to have secured a place in the last 16.
Africa’s hopes now rest on Friday’s final Round of 32 matches. Ghana face Colombia in Kansas City, Egypt meet Australia in Arlington, while Cape Verde take on Argentina in Miami.
