Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 19
Group: B
Confederation: UEFA
Coach: Murat Yakin
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)

History

Switzerland is one of Europe's most consistent World Cup nations, having appeared in 13 tournaments since their debut in 1934. Their best results came during the early decades of the competition: quarter-final exits in 1934, 1938, and 1954. The 1954 edition was particularly memorable, as Switzerland co-hosted and participated in the highest-scoring World Cup match ever played, losing 7-5 to Austria in what became known as the "Battle of Bern." More recently, Switzerland shocked eventual 2010 champions Spain 1-0 in the group stage, though they were eliminated later. They have never won the tournament and are still chasing their first semi-final appearance.

Qualification

Switzerland qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by winning UEFA qualifying Group B, which also included Kosovo, Slovenia, and Sweden. Their campaign was dominant: four wins, two draws, zero defeats in six matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding only two for a goal difference of +12 and 14 points. Key results included a 2-0 away win in Sweden and a 4-1 home victory over Sweden that effectively secured top spot. Switzerland closed the group with a 1-1 draw away to Kosovo. As group winners, they qualified automatically without needing the playoff round.

Preparation

Head coach Murat Yakin, who has led Switzerland since August 2021, announced the official 26-man World Cup squad on May 20, 2026, favouring continuity, with a large core that also featured in Qatar four years ago. Key players include captain Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, Gregor Kobel, Breel Embolo, and Denis Zakaria. After a pre-tournament camp in St. Gallen, Switzerland opened their warm-ups with a 4-1 win over Jordan at Kybunpark on May 31 (goals from Embolo and Xhaka penalties, Dan Ndoye and Christian Fassnacht), with Yakin rotating heavily to give fringe players minutes. The squad then traveled to the United States, where it faces Australia in San Diego on June 6 as its final dress rehearsal before the group opener against Qatar. Yakin has built a tactically disciplined, experienced squad regarded as the strongest in Group B on paper.

Latest news

Switzerland open World Cup warm-ups with 4-1 win over Jordan

Sun 31 May · matches

In their first-ever meeting, Switzerland beat Jordan 4-1 at Kybunpark in St. Gallen (att. 13,380). Breel Embolo (28', pen) and Dan Ndoye (33') struck before Granit Xhaka added a penalty in first-half stoppage time (45+9'); Christian Fassnacht made it 4-1 (79'). Odeh Fakhoury scored Jordan's reply (52'). Yakin rotated heavily, making five changes at the break.

espn.com · 2026-06-02
sofascore.com · 2026-06-02

Muheim recovered from ankle injury ahead of Jordan friendly

Sun 31 May · injuries

Left-back Miro Muheim (Hamburger SV) declared himself fit after recovering from an ankle injury sustained about a month earlier, saying he was ready and hoping to play in the Jordan friendly. He is normally a backup to Ricardo Rodríguez.

bluewin.ch · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Gregor Kobel	GK	Borussia Dortmund
Yvon Mvogo	GK	FC Lorient
Marvin Keller	GK	BSC Young Boys
Manuel Akanji	DF	Inter Milan
Nico Elvedi	DF	Borussia Mönchengladbach
Ricardo Rodríguez	DF	Real Betis
Silvan Widmer	DF	1. FSV Mainz 05
Miro Muheim	DF	Hamburger SV
Aurèle Amenda	DF	Eintracht Frankfurt
Eray Cömert	DF	Valencia CF
Luca Jaquez	DF	VfB Stuttgart
Granit Xhaka	MF	Sunderland AFC
Remo Freuler	MF	Bologna FC
Denis Zakaria	MF	AS Monaco
Ardon Jashari	MF	AC Milan
Djibril Sow	MF	Sevilla FC
Johan Manzambi	MF	SC Freiburg
Christian Fassnacht	MF	BSC Young Boys
Michel Aebischer	MF	AC Pisa
Fabian Rieder	MF	FC Augsburg
Rubén Vargas	MF	Sevilla FC
Breel Embolo	FW	Stade Rennais FC
Noah Okafor	FW	Leeds United
Dan Ndoye	FW	Nottingham Forest
Zeki Amdouni	FW	Burnley FC
Cedric Itten	FW	Fortuna Düsseldorf