Switzerland Announce World Cup Squad and Warm-up Fixtures

Murat Yakin name Switzerland 26-man World Cup squad with familiar faces  

Murat Yakin selected 17 players from the 2022 squad and six debutants as Switzerland gear up to face Qatar, Bosnia, and Canada in Group B.

The Swiss will play Jordan and Australia before opening Group B against Qatar on June 13 in Santa Clara...

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin went with consistency and experience on Wednesday when he named his 26-man squad for the World Cup. He included 17 players who were also in the squad for Qatar four years ago.

Only six players set for first major tournament

Three more players featured at the 2024 European Championship in Germany. That leaves just uncapped backup goalkeeper Marvin Keller and five Germany-based players making their debut at a major tournament. The newcomers are Aurele Amenda, Cedric Itten, Luca Jaquez, Johan Manzambi, and Miro Muheim.

Experienced leaders headline the squad

Captain Granit Xhaka, Switzerland’s most capped player with 144 appearances, and fullback Ricardo Rodriguez with 136 caps, will play at their fourth World Cup in a row. Five other players will appear at their third consecutive tournament.

Surprise omissions and selections  

There was surprise when Young Boys attackers Alvyn Sanches and Joel Monteiro were left out. Both were in the squad for friendlies against Germany and Norway in March.  

Teammate Christian Fassnacht made the cut after finishing as the Super League’s top scorer with 18 goals. Cedric Itten was also picked despite Fortuna Duesseldorf’s relegation from the German second division on Sunday. Itten scored 15 league goals this season.

Amdouni returns after injury  

Burnley striker Zeki Amdouni was included after returning from a long-term knee injury this month. He has made only three substitute appearances in the Premier League since coming back.

“Medically, he is 100 percent fit. He knows our system. He knows his role. That's ‌the reason why I'm very glad he can be part of it,” Yakin told a press conference on Wednesday.

“I think we have selected the best players for the squad and I can’t wait to get going,” he added.

Warm-up matches before the tournament

The squad will meet on Monday and play a friendly against Jordan in St. Gallen on May 31. Switzerland will then travel to the US to face Australia in San Diego on June 6 in their final warm-up match.

Group B fixtures  

Switzerland open Group B against Qatar in Santa Clara on June 13. They will then play Bosnia and co-hosts Canada in the remaining group games.

Squad

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

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

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys Bern), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas (both Sevilla), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), ⁠Denis Zakaria (Monaco)

Forwards: Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel ⁠Embolo (Stade Rennais), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Düsseldorf), ‌Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds United).

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