After almost two weeks of thrilling group stage action and some hugely surprising results, the World Cup Round of 16 is finally upon us.
The opening match of the knockout rounds will see Switzerland and Spain attempt to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time ever, with both sides previous best finishes being the Round of 16.
Switzerland are yet to concede a goal at the tournament, and were able to top Group A with one win and two scoreless draws.
Spain on the other hand flew out of the traps, defeating Costa Rica 3-0 and Zambia 5-0, before being brought back down to earth with a thud in a surprising 4-0 loss to Japan, where their opponents made mincemeat of the Spanish defence on the counter attack.
MORE: Which teams have qualified for the Round of 16?
What time does Switzerland vs Spain kick off?
The Switzerland vs Spain Round of 16 clash will kick off on August 5 at 5:00 p.m. local time at Eden Park, Auckland.
- Date: Saturday, August 5
- Time: 5:00 p.m. NZT (1:00 a.m. ET)
These are the kick off times in select regions around the world:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Sat, August 5 | 1:00 a.m. ET |
| Canada | Sat, August 5 | 1:00 a.m. ET |
| UK | Sat, August 5 | 6:00 a.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, August 5 | 3:00 p.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, August 5 | 10:30 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Sat, August 5 | 1:00 p.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Sat, August 5 | 1:00 p.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Sat, August 5 | 1:00 p.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Sat, August 5 | 5:00 p.m. NZST |
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Where to watch Switzerland vs Spain
The opening match of the World Cup Round of 16, like all matches in the knockout stage of the tournament, will be available to watch on TV and live stream in all parts of the world.
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FS1, Universo | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock (Spanish), Telemundo Deportes site/app, Universo NOW |
| UK | BBC One | BBC app/website |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | TSN1 | TSN+, TSN site/app, RDS site/app, Fubo |
| India | DD Sports | FanCode |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 NZ | Prime TV, Sky Sport NOW |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | StarHub TV+, meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now TV | Viu TV |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Switzerland vs Spain lineups
Switzerland have kept a settled lineup for the World Cup so far, having played the same forward line and midfield for all three of their group matches featuring Barcelona forward Ana Maria Crnogorcevic as the main striker.
After the opening match, coach Inka Grigs moved Noelle Maritz from full back to centre back, and introduced Nadine Riesen to the side, which has helped Switzerland keep clean sheets in all matches at the tournament so far.
Expect Lia Walti, Coumba Sow, and Geraldine Reuteler to start in the midfield, though the shape may be either a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1.
- Switzerland projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Thalmann (GK) — Aigbogun, Maritz, Stierli, Riesen — Sow, Walti, Reuteler — Piubel, Crnogorcevic, Bachmann
After a disappointing performance against Japan where they failed to convert 77% possession into goals, Spain coach Jorge Vilda may look to bring Alba Redondo and Esther Gonzalez into the Spain attack, as both have scored doubles at the tournament so far.
Alexia Putellas should start the do-or-die match alongside Teresa Abelleira and Aitana Bonmati in midfield, whilst captain Ivana Andres could be reintroduced at centre back after the side conceded four goals in counter attacking fashion against Japan.
- Spain projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Rodriguez (GK) — Batlle, Andres, Paredes, Carmona — Bonmati, Abelleira, Putellas — Parralluelo, Gonzalez, Redondo