Switzerland v Algeria
The key selection question here is how Algeria replace Mohamed Amoura up front, with Amoura a doubt for selection and Djamel Belmadi forced to promote one of his depth options into the starting line.
Switzerland (4-2-3-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Gregor Kobel |
| RB | [PENDING EDITORIAL VERIFICATION: Please verify Zakaria's deployment in the Switzerland lineup; if he is not playing right-back, correct the position or replace with the appropriate right-back in the squad] |
| CB | Nico Elvedi |
| CB | Manuel Akanji |
| LB | Ricardo Rodríguez |
| DM | Remo Freuler |
| DM | Granit Xhaka |
| RM | Dan Ndoye |
| AM | [PENDING EDITORIAL VERIFICATION: Confirm Swiss nationality and 2026 squad inclusion before publishing; if ineligible, replace with a verified Swiss international in the same position] |
| LM | Rubén Vargas |
| ST | Breel Embolo |
Switzerland have no injury concern to address in the XI: Muheim was not selected last time out and his absence does not disturb the back four. We expect Murat Yakin to keep this shape and these personnel exactly as they lined up previously. Three wins from the last three games give him every reason to leave things alone.
Algeria (4-3-3)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | [PENDING EDITORIAL VERIFICATION: Replace with a confirmed Algerian international goalkeeper who is in the 2026 squad] |
| RB | Rafik Belghali |
| CB | Aïssa Mandi |
| CB | Ramy Bensebaïni |
| LB | Rayan Aït-Nouri |
| CM | Ramiz Zerrouki |
| CM | Nabil Bentaleb |
| RW | Riyad Mahrez |
| CM | Farès Chaïbi |
| LW | Ibrahim Maza |
| ST | Adem Gouiri |
Amoura's absence is the one enforced change. We bring Adem Gouiri into the centre-forward role, with Mahrez and Maza staying wide. Houssem Aouar drops to the bench as Chaïbi slides into a more central position to maintain the three-man midfield shape. Algeria's form reads WLWDL, so they arrive with something to prove in the knockout round.
The biggest selection doubt is whether Gouiri can provide the same threat in behind that Amoura offered, or whether Algeria shift Mahrez centrally and use a different wide option.
Australia v Egypt
Australia head into this fixture with reported fitness concerns at right-back, and the question is whether Graham Arnold patches the back three or reshuffles should Italiano be confirmed unavailable.
Australia (3-4-2-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | P. Beach |
| CB | A. Circati |
| CB | H. Souttar |
| CB | L. Herrington |
| RWB | J. Bos |
| CM | A. O'Neill |
| CM | J. Irvine |
| LWB | A. Behich |
| AM | C. Volpato |
| AM | C. Metcalfe |
| ST | N. Irankunda |
Italiano was not in the previous XI against Paraguay, so his reported absence creates no direct gap in the starting shape. We keep the 3-4-2-1 intact. Circati, Souttar and Herrington continue as the three centre-backs. The form line of LDWLD tells us Australia are beatable but showed enough in the win to carry confidence into this match.
Egypt (4-2-3-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Mostafa Shobeir |
| RB | Mohamed Hany |
| CB | Rami Rabia |
| CB | Mohamed Abdelmonem |
| LB | Ahmed Fatouh |
| DM | Mohanad Lasheen |
| DM | Mahmoud Saber |
| RM | Emam Ashour |
| AM | Mohamed Salah |
| LM | Trézéguet |
| ST | Mostafa Zico |
Hossam Abdelmaguid and Hamdi Fathy are reported to be facing fitness concerns ahead of this fixture, pending official confirmation. Abdelmaguid featured at right-back, so Mohamed Hany shifts across and Ahmed Fatouh comes in at left-back from the squad. The rest of the XI holds: Salah operates in the number ten slot, Trézéguet provides width on the left, and Zico leads the line.
The biggest x-factor is Salah, whose direct involvement in the final third decides Egypt's attacking output entirely. If he finds space between Australia's lines, the Socceroos' back three will be tested.
Argentina v Cape Verde Islands
Argentina arrive on a perfect five-from-five run and the only genuine question is whether Lionel Scaloni rotates any starters ahead of a potential quarter-final, or trusts the same group that hammered through the group stage.
Argentina (4-4-2)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | E. Martínez |
| RB | N. Molina |
| CB | N. Otamendi |
| CB | M. Senesi |
| LB | N. Tagliafico |
| RM | G. Simeone |
| CM | L. Paredes |
| CM | G. Lo Celso |
| LM | L. Messi |
| ST | Lautaro Martínez |
| ST | J. Álvarez |
We make one change from the Jordan XI: Molina comes in at right-back in place of Palacios, who covered that role against Jordan. With no injuries reported and a five-game winning streak, Scaloni has every option available. We back Messi to start on the left side of a 4-4-2, with Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez continuing as the strike partnership.
Cape Verde Islands (4-1-4-1)
| Pos | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Vózinha |
| RB | Wagner Pina |
| CB | Diney Borges |
| CB | Stopira |
| LB | João Paulo |
| DM | Ryan Mendes |
| RM | Willy Semedo |
| CM | [PENDING EDITORIAL VERIFICATION: Confirm Cape Verdean nationality and 2026 squad inclusion before publishing; if ineligible, replace with a verified Cape Verdean international in the same position] |
| CM | Jamiro Monteiro |
| LM | Jovane Cabral |
| ST | D. Livramento |
S. Lopes Cabral is reported to be unavailable, but he was not in the previous starting XI so the shape remains a 4-1-4-1. Stopira comes into the centre-back pairing in place of R. Lopes, who featured in the previous XI, is reported to be unavailable, pending squad confirmation. Ryan Mendes holds the single pivot, with Willy Semedo and Jovane Cabral providing width. Cape Verde arrive with three consecutive draws following two wins, showing they are organised and hard to break down.
The biggest selection doubt for Cape Verde is whether coach Pedro Brito opts for Nuno da Costa over Livramento to offer a more physical presence against Argentina's centre-backs.
This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.