FIFA World Cup: Switzerland vs. Algeria at B.C. Place. Live updates here.

Composite image (left to right): Algeria’s Aissa Mandi (The Associated Press/Charlie Riedel), Swiss fans marching in Vancouver (The Canadian Press/Timothy Matwey), Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi (The Associated Press/Sydney Shankman).

Switzerland is facing Algeria for a round of 32 game Thursday evening in Vancouver—the city’s sixth of seven FIFA World Cup matches.

• LIVE on TSN.CA: Canada vs. Switzerland (subscribe to watch)
• Where to watch FIFA World Cup matches in Metro Vancouver
• A look at the seven World Cup games to be played at Vancouver’s BC Place

The Swiss team is returning to B.C. Place after defeating Canada 2-1 last week, a victory that forced the home team to the U.S. for the knockout round.

A win at this stage would be a historic first for Algeria, while Switzerland has reached the round of 16 for the last three consecutive World Cups.

The Swiss squad scored seven goals and allowed three during the group stage, while Algeria scored five and allowed seven.

Thursday’s match begins at 8 p.m.

Follow along here for live updates throughout the game and after the final whistle.

2:30 p.m. PT: Umbrella policy at the game

Environment Canada is forecasting rain right until kickoff—but fans marching to B.C. Place can keep themselves dry with an umbrella, as long as it’s not too big.

The stadium has confirmed that small personal umbrellas are allowed in the venue, but larger ones such as beach umbrellas and golf umbrellas are not.

That’s a more lenient policy than was in place during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, where umbrellas were banned altogether.

Soccer fans heading to the FIFA Fan Festival in East Vancouver should know umbrellas are prohibited there, along with blankets, lawn chairs and coolers.

Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

12:30 p.m. PT: ‘Dream come true’ for Algeria fans

Algeria native Nawel Allam says it’s “a dream come true” to see her home country play a World Cup match in British Columbia, where she has lived for 35 years.

Allam is a founder of the Algerian Community of BC Association, which has planned a fan rally that is set to take place around 4:30 p.m.

She says the group is expecting a couple hundred people to join them at the CBC Plaza in downtown Vancouver before they march to the stadium.

Allam says she and her family have secured tickets to attend the match, which she calls a “once-in-a-lifetime” event.

“We’re ecstatic,” Allam says. “I’m going to be 60 years old this month and I feel like I’m a five-year-old waiting on Christmas morning.”

The Canadian Press

9 a.m. PT: Fan meet-ups, march planned

Fans of both Switzerland and Algeria will be gathering hours before the match, then marching the last mile to B.C. Place.

Swiss fans are meeting at the Blarney Stone pub around 2 p.m., then marching toward the stadium at 6 p.m.

Fans of the Fennecs—who marched in downtown Vancouver Wednesday as well—are expected to join as well.

Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

8:30 a.m. PT: Road closures return

As with previous FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver, there will be road closures in effect as a result of Thursday’s match between Switzerland and Algeria.

The stretch of Granville Street between Davie and Georgia streets—which was transformed into a pedestrian zone for the entirety of the tournament—remains closed to traffic as well.

TransLink service changes have been implemented to make it easier for people to get around on transit in the meantime.

Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca

The Fennecs land in Vancouver

The Algerian team arrived at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday, and a crowd of supporters were waiting to welcome them downtown.

The Fennecs last played Saturday, drawing against Austria in a dramatic 3-3 game in Kansas.

Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca