Top News

Switzerland’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks their sixth consecutive appearance at football’s biggest tournament, following successful qualification under coach Murat Yakin.

The Swiss team secured their World Cup berth in November after a tense draw against Kosovo, a result that narrowly kept them out of the qualification play-offs.

With qualification confirmed, Switzerland may not rank among the tournament’s favourites, but they bring a balanced mix of experience and talent capable of producing surprises.

In the upcoming campaign across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Switzerland will be aiming to advance beyond the Round of 16 for the first time this century. They will rely on several prominent European-based players to achieve this milestone.

Captain Granit Xhaka, the nation’s record appearance holder, continues to impress at Sunderland. Despite the club’s recent dip in form, his leadership remains vital to the Rossocrociati’s ambitions this summer.

Xhaka’s presence is particularly important following the retirement of long-time international star Xherdan Shaqiri after Euro 2024.

Coach Murat Yakin can still depend on several top-level European performers, including Inter Milan defender Manuel Akanji, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Nottingham Forest forward Dan Ndoye, and Leeds United striker Noah Okafor, among others selected for the latest squad.

Goalkeepers:
Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund)
Yvon Mvogo (Lorient)
Marvin Keller (Young Boys)

Defenders:
Miro Muheim (Hamburg)
Silvan Widmer (Mainz 05)
Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan)
Ricardo Rodriguez (Betis)
Eray Comert (Valencia)
Luca Jaquez (Stuttgart)
Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Midfielders:
Denis Zakaria (Monaco)
Remo Freuler (Bologna)
Johan Manzambi (Freiburg)
Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
Joel Monteiro (Young Boys)
Djibril Sow (Sevilla)
Vincent Sierro (Al-Shabab)
Alvyn Sanches (Young Boys)
Michel Aebischer (Pisa)
Fabian Rieder (Augsburg)
Ardon Jashari (Milan)

Forwards:
Breel Embolo (Rennes)
Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest)
Ruben Vargas (Sevilla)
Noah Okafor (Leeds United)

Upcoming fixtures:
March 27, 2026: Switzerland vs Germany – St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
March 31, 2026: Norway vs Switzerland – Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway
May 31, 2026: Switzerland vs Jordan – Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland
June 13, 2026: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California, United States
June 24, 2026: Switzerland vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
September 26, 2026: North Macedonia vs Switzerland – Tose Proeski Arena, Skopje, North Macedonia
September 29, 2026: Scotland vs Switzerland – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
October 3, 2026: Switzerland vs Slovenia – Switzerland
October 6, 2026: Switzerland vs North Macedonia – Switzerland
November 13, 2026: Slovenia vs Switzerland – Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia
November 16, 2026: Switzerland vs Scotland – Switzerland

Recent results:
November 18, 2026: Kosovo 1–1 Switzerland – Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, Kosovo
November 15, 2026: Switzerland 4–1 Sweden – Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
October 13, 2026: Slovenia 0–0 Switzerland – Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia
October 10, 2026: Sweden 0–2 Switzerland – Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden
September 8, 2026: Switzerland 3–0 Slovenia – St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
September 5, 2026: Switzerland 4–0 Kosovo – St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
June 10, 2026: United States 0–4 Switzerland – Geodis Park, Nashville, United States
June 7, 2026: Mexico 2–4 Switzerland – Rice–Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, United States
March 25, 2026: Switzerland 3–1 Luxembourg – Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland
March 21, 2026: Northern Ireland 1–1 Switzerland – Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Head coach Murat Yakin will guide the Swiss team into his second World Cup campaign, having previously led them to Qatar 2022, where they were eliminated by Portugal in the Round of 16.

Switzerland’s Euro 2024 journey was notably more encouraging. They finished second in their group, which included host nation Germany, and convincingly defeated defending champions Italy in the first knockout stage. Against England, they took an early lead but were eventually knocked out following a penalty shootout.

Yakin intends to draw from his rich playing career for inspiration. During his time with FC Basel, he captured five Swiss Super League titles and earned 49 caps for the national team.

One of the standout narratives of the current Premier League season has been Granit Xhaka’s resurgence with Sunderland. The experienced midfielder departed Arsenal two years ago and played a crucial role in Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side that achieved an unbeaten domestic double.

His performances have earned him recognition in FourFourTwo’s ranking of the world’s best central midfielders based on his recent form.

— Reported by Isaac Stacey Stronge