Five European teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, but not a single South American team has reached that stage.
Argentina and Colombia are South America's last hopes. While Argentina faces Egypt from Africa, Colombia faces Switzerland from Europe.
Argentina is harder to beat than Colombia is to beat by Switzerland.
However, the latest development could benefit Colombia, namely news of a storm of injuries in the Swiss squad.
The Nati will likely be without some of their most important players when they face Colombia in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at BC Place Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday (8/7) at 03.00 WIB.
Young star Johan Manzambi, senior midfielder Ruben Vargas and Djibril Sow left training early, raising doubts that the three players will be able to play for the Nati.
Coach Murat Yakin has stated that if Switzerland loses these three players, his team will face big problems.
Moreover, Switzerland will definitely be without defender Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebisischer, whose positions are no less important for Murat Yakin's squad.
Manzambi has scored 3 of Switzerland's 9 goals, while Vargas is the most active Swiss player in sending crosses with 22 and also the Swiss player who received the most passes, 67 times.
If Manzambi added a terror aspect to the Swiss attack, then Vargas was the key architect in designing the goals and chances for Switzerland.
They are two of the Swiss players who contributed to their team's ninth-place finish in terms of xG (goal probability) with a score of 8.57.
Colombia, who were more active in creating goal-scoring chances than Switzerland, had an xG of 6.35. Los Cafeteros had created a total of 79 chances, 28 of which were on target.
