Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Switzerland

Get the lowdown onevery team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Switzerland

What can I expect from Switzerland?

Since hosting the 1954 World Cup, when they reached the quarter-finals, Switzerland have never progressed past the second round.

They are capable – this is their seventh major tournament in a row since missing out on Euro 2012 – but it never quite comes together for them on the world stage.

But, is this the year that all changes? Their record appearance maker, Granit Xhaka, thinks so, having helped Sunderland qualify for Europe against the odds.

The 33-year-old still pulls the strings for the Swiss and much of the squad that took England to penalties at Euro 2024 is here.

That quarter-final loss two years ago is now being used as motivation. "The feeling that we could have reached the final of the last Euros gives us something to dream about," says head coach Murat Yakin.

What are Switzerland strengths?

Switzerland have a settled team with strong foundations. Coach Yakin has players who are comfortable playing 4-2-3-1 or switching to three at the back as they have done recently.

However they set up, they have the in-form Breel Embolo, dubbed the team's 'Golden Boy', as the focal point of their attack.

And what about their weaknesses?

Switzerland were carved open all too easily in March's 4-3 home defeat against Germany. The Germans had 16 shots – 11 on target – and Florian Wirtz ran the show. It was only a friendly but a reminder that Xhaka can't do it all on his own in the middle of the park, especially against the best sides.

How might Switzerland line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Cameroon-born striker Breel Embolo was Switzerland's top scorer in qualifying and has pedigree; he is one of only five players to have scored multiple goals in both the 2022 World Cup (netting against Cameroon and Serbia) and the 2024 Euros.

Granit Xhaka will be taking part in his fourth successive World Cup at the age of 33. He says he ages like a fine red wine and, with several 40-year-olds competing at this tournament, may well be inspired to keep his international career going afterwards.

Nottingham Forest forward Dan Ndoye had a frustrating season following his £35m transfer from Bologna. Look out for his trademark 'lion' goal celebration if he finds his form.

Who is Switzerland's head coach?

Appointed in August 2021, Murat Yakin is going to his third major international tournament as Switzerland head coach. He took the team to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

How did Switzerland qualify?

The Swiss topped their Uefa qualifying group ahead of Sweden, Slovenia and Kosovo. They were unbeaten throughout and conceded just twice.

Where can I watch Switzerland?

All of Switzerland's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

At the 2006 World Cup Switzerland kept four consecutive clean sheets but went out to Ukraine on penalties. They are the only team not to concede a single goal at a World Cup.

Now give me some proper detail

It was Thomas Frank, when he was managing Brentford, who used to say, "we win or we learn." Switzerland, at the last World Cup, learned a lot. A 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Portugal in the last 16 was painful at the time but has clearly galvanised the team.

A strong Euros followed – they were knocked out on penalties in the quarter-finals by England – and qualification for this World Cup was achieved with the minimum of fuss.

It's Switzerland's sixth consecutive participation in football's biggest tournament and hopes are high that they could do something special in North America.

It's 72 years since they last reached the quarter-finals, back in 1954 when they were the World Cup hosts, and head coach Murat Yakin says their goal is "to play the best World Cup a Swiss national team has ever had."

"If you believe in something and you work hard, you can get it," skipper Granit Xhaka told Sunderland's website in March. European football was duly secured, a remarkable achievement for the Black Cats in their first season back in the Premier League.

Switzerland clearly believe too. It will be interesting to see how far that belief takes them.

How have Switzerland done at previous World Cups?

Switzerland have not won a knockout match at a World Cup since the 1930s when the tournament used a purely knockout format. A 6-1 thrashing by Portugal in Qatar in 2018 means they have lost all five of their games at the last-16 stage.