Switzerland has been building its reputation as one of the most fearsome opponents at the quintessential sporting events in recent years. While like most of the other teams they lack the big names, still no teams have dared to take them not seriously especially when it comes to international cup competitions.
Some names from the country’s national team do manage to get the headlines every now and then but who are others that might join them for their quest at the FIFA 2022 Qatar?
Switzerland Squad For the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
The names below are in light of Switzerland’s preferences in recent tournaments including the qualifiers, UEFA nations league, and even the Euro 2021.
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 |
Why Your Favorites Should Worry About Switzerland?
Switzerland has been that one frightening underdog that the major tournament’s favorites often try to avoid. The La Nati has on numerous occasions either stopped or completely eliminated the big names at international footballing events. Their win over the current world champion France at the Euro 2021 followed by an impressive run at the European qualifiers should definitely make people count them among the dark horses if not the title favorites.
Worth mentioning is amidst their UEFA Nations League stint, they gave quite the shock by successively defeating two heavyweights Portugal and Spain. But perhaps the biggest feat that makes them so unpredictably strong is the fact that they finished top at their home continent FIFA qualification ahead of four times world champion Italy. Add to that they remained undefeated throughout the ten games and even managed to pin down the reigning Euro winner, Italy.
Switzerland Strengths
Their stubbornness is the first thing that makes them a pain in the ass for their opponents. The Schweizer Nati are quite adamant when it comes to conceding the first goal. In fact, even on their worst day, they make it exhaustively longer for their competitors to triumph over them. When it comes to attacking they can change the momentum of the game just out of nowhere at any moment. It had been quite a while before they lost with a big score defeat when Portugal hammered them 4-0 earlier this summer.
Their Weaknesses
Given that they are a bit opportunist themselves the Swiss are likely to lack imagination when set up against a backline that is as strong as theirs. Their star forward might give one of the goals of the tournament, but his age and fading powers might be a concern for the team’s frontline.
In the mid due to the lack of players not coming from the Europe top flight leagues except for Granit Xhaka, many a time, it could be too much trouble for them to find the transit from defense to attack and otherwise.
Also, they have some of the event’s difficult competitors during their group matches.
Which Other Teams Are In the Switzerland Group?
In the group phase, Switzerland will have two same opponents they faced in the competition’s previous edition, Brazil and Serbia with Cameroon being the new one.
Switzerland Group Fixtures
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 |