Swiss players will take to Qatar without the pressure of being front-runners to win the trophy. They stand out for being a compact group that do not depend on individuals. Xherdan Shaqiri is not at the level he was in the past and they lack a striker who stands out for his finishing prowess. However, they are good team that could undoubtedly pose problems to any opponents. No team will want to face them in the World Cup.
Switzerland have been procuring a reputation as giant slayers in recent times, so Brazil and co. beware: Murat Yakin’s squad are back and in axe-swinging mood.
The Swiss are often touted as underdogs going into major tournaments, owing to a perceived lack of star names — but make no mistake, this is a serious tournament team.
They’ve progressed from the group stages at five of their last six major tournaments, and rocked Euro 2020 by knocking-out the world champions, France.
In qualifying for Qatar 2022, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and his international teammates went unbeaten to seal first place in UEFA Group C and beat Euro 2020 champions Italy, who then crashed out in the playoffs.
The Swiss are a team to watch in Qatar.
Final 26-man Switzerland World Cup roster
Yakin named his final 26-man squad on Wednesday, November 9, five days ahead of the FIFA-imposed deadline.
Nations had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which they were required to select a final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14.
Here’s the final 26-man list.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| Goalkeeper | Yann Sommer | Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) | 33 | 76 |
| Goalkeeper | Gregor Kobel | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 24 | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Philipp Kohn | RB Salzburg (AUT) | 24 | 0 |
| Goalkeeper | Jonas Omlin | Montpellier (FRA) | 24 | 3 |
| Defender | Fabian Schar | Newcastle (ENG) | 30 | 72 |
| Defender | Manuel Akanji | Manchester City (ENG) | 27 | 42 |
| Defender | Ricardo Rodriguez | Torino (ITA) | 30 | 100 |
| Defender | Nico Elvedi | Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) | 26 | 40 |
| Defender | Silvan Widmer | Mainz (GER) | 29 | 33 |
| Defender | Eray Comert | Valencia (SPA) | 24 | 9 |
| Midfielder | Granit Xhaka | Arsenal (ENG) | 30 | 106 |
| Midfielder | Remo Freuler | Nottingham Forest (ENG) | 30 | 48 |
| Midfielder | Fabian Frei | Basel (SWI) | 33 | 22 |
| Midfielder | Denis Zakaria | Chelsea (ENG) | 25 | 42 |
| Midfielder | Djibril Sow | Frankfurt (GER) | 25 | 32 |
| Midfielder | Renato Steffen | Lugano (SWI) | 30 | 27 |
| Midfielder | Michel Aebischer | Bologna (ITA) | 25 | 11 |
| Midfielder | Ardon Jashari | Luzern (SWI) | 20 | 1 |
| Midfielder | Fabian Rieder | Young Boys (SUI) | 0 | 0 |
| Midfielder | Xherdan Shaqiri | Chicago Fire (USA) | 31 | 108 |
| Midfielder | Ruben Vargas | Augsburg (GER) | 24 | 26 |
| Midfielder | Edimilson Fernandes | Mainz (GER) | 26 | 22 |
| Forward | Noah Okafor | RB Salzburg (AUT) | 22 | 8 |
| Forward | Christian Fassnacht | Young Boys (SUI) | 28 | 15 |
| Forward | Haris Seferovic | Galatasaray (TUR) | 30 | 88 |
| Forward | Breel Embolo | Monaco (FRA) | 25 | 58 |
The most notable absences from the final list are:
- Yvon Mvogo (Lorient)
- David Von Ballmoos (Young Boys)
- Kevin Mbabu (Fulham)
- Jordan Lotomba (Nice)
- Leonidas Stergiou (St Gallen)
- Steven Zuber (AEK Athens)
- Cedric Itten (Young Boys)
- Dan Ndoye (Basel)
- Mario Gavranovic (Kayserispor)
Goalkeeper Mvogo is known to have picked up a thigh injury while playing for Lorient in Ligue 1 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Young Boys midfielder Fabian Rieder, 20, is called up for the first time, and Sturm Graz defender Gregory Wuthrich is in contention for the first time after being placed on a 13-man standby list.
Switzerland best player, strengths & weaknesses
The Swiss brought a veteran team into the last World Cup and are making the trip to Qatar without a few familiar stalwarts like now retired Stephan Lichtsteiner and Valon Behrami.
However, new faces have stepped up to lead, and the Swiss will once again be a stubborn, well-drilled side.
Stars
Granit Xhaka has always been a dependable force for Switzerland but his club form has been transformed this season, with the midfielder a powerful force in Arsenal’s Premier League-chasing squad.
Both he and Chicago Fire’s Xherdan Shaqiri will edge ever closer to their nation’s all-time appearance record in Qatar, which stands at 118 caps, while functioning as the lifeblood and spine of this team.
Monaco’s Breel Embolo will be the go-to man in attack and a strong start to the Ligue 1 season suggests he’ll be ready for Qatar.
Strengths
Switzerland’s old national stereotype of being well-drilled and efficient has traditionally translated onto the pitch.
Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar and Mauel Akanji are a resolute combination at the back. (And judging by this recent interview, Akanji is as impressive off the pitch thanks to his incredible math skills as he is on it!)
Weaknesses
There’s nothing particularly flashy in this team, which undoubtedly makes them a well-balanced fighting force. But it can leave the Swiss lacking imagination when faced with a stubborn backline. Shaqiri would once have had the magic to unlock a game, but at 31 his powers are fading.
A lack of depth behind him in the creative roles is their major question. It’s the same story in attack, where Embolo and Haris Seferovic are crucial for providing the goals.
Switzerland World Cup group
Switzerland are facing familiar opposition in Qatar, drawing an almost identical group to the one they faced at the 2018 World Cup.
The Swiss will be pleased with a repeat of their 1-1 draw against Brazil in Russia, with the Selecao far stronger than four years ago. Serbia, who they also played in 2018, and Cameroon will present a robust challenge in this competitive group.
Switzerland Group G fixtures and match schedule
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Switzerland vs. Cameroon | 5 a.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | Brazil vs. Switzerland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Serbia vs. Switzerland | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
COACH
LMURAT YAKIN
He was appointed as Switzerland coach in 2021 and has since managed to create a solid side which qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
THE STAR
GRANIT XHAKA
The Arsenal midfielder’s personality stands out in a team lacking world-class players. However, Xhaka has been criti-cised for his abrasive manner on various occasions.
LINE-UP (1-4-2-3-1)
THE BEST
They are a team who have nothing to lose and always play without the pressure of being a favourite in the major tournaments.
THE WORST
They lack a star in attack, where they currently have Breel Embolo, Haris Seferovic and Noah Okafor.
Bengali