Petkovic will meet former team Switzerland with Algeria in the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup

Vladimir Petkovic will face his former team Switzerland with Algeria in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup in Vancouver, British Columbia on Thursday. The meeting takes on extra significance because Breel Embolo, Switzerland striker, praises the current Algerian national coach for the development he allowed the Swiss to undergo between 2014 and 2021.

Petkovic led Switzerland to the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup and to the quarter-finals of the 2020 European Championship - a first for the Swiss. Embolo, who received his first call-up to the national team in 2015, was part of the World Cup squad under Petkovic in 2018. “He knows me very well – and many of our players. Nothing changes for me: I play my own game, taking into account Algeria's qualities and weaknesses,” Embolo said. “We believe that if we use our strengths, we can advance to the next round. And of course I will say hello afterwards.”

Petkovic mainly sees the personal interconnectedness as part of modern top football. “Everyone knows each other, there are hardly any real secrets anymore,” responded the 62-year-old national coach. "The fact that I know the Swiss players does not automatically mean an advantage. It will be a tough match against a strong Swiss team. To win we have to give 120%."

Algeria is back at a World Cup for the first time since 2014 and is chasing its first victory in the knockout phase. In Brazil it reached the eighth finals, but was eliminated by the later world champion Germany. Switzerland reached the eighth finals at the past three World Cups, in tournaments with 32 participants; this World Cup has 48 countries.

The form towards the knockout phase promises spectacle. Algeria played a compelling 3-3 against Austria in Kansas City on Saturday. The North Africans took the lead in injury time, but saw the Austrians come alongside in the very last action. The point was enough for both countries to continue and meant the elimination of Iran. Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 in Vancouver on Wednesday thanks to goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi, taking the win in Group B. Canada hoped to continue playing in the knockout phase with a result on home soil, but Switzerland is now returning to Vancouver. The team was then given a week of rest and returned to the training base in San Diego in between.

There is also a link between the coaches: Switzerland national coach Murat Yakin interned with Petkovic at Young Boys years ago. Petkovic took over at Algeria in February 2024, after his spell at French side Bordeaux. “I appreciate his approach and how he treats players and makes them play,” Yakin said. "He helped Switzerland qualify for many tournaments. Five years later we play differently, we have evolved, but it will be nice to see him again."

Finally, Petkovic emphasized that the match is not about him, but about the two teams. "Both teams want to get a result. Switzerland has publicly stated that it wants to reach at least the quarter-finals. We have already achieved two major goals: qualifying for the World Cup and surviving the group stage. Now I want to win with my players and continue."

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