SUI
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP B · POT 2

Switzerland
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Murat Yakin · Former Swiss midfielder (54 caps) appointed in 2021. Of Turkish descent, he led Switzerland to the EURO 2024 quarter-finals — a flexible tactician between 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1.
MD1 Jun 13 vs Qatar MD2 Jun 18 vs Bosnia and Herzegovina MD3 Jun 24 vs Canada
12th World Cup appearance · best finish: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)
26
Squad size
27.8
Avg. age
24 / 26
Overseas-based
18 / 8
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Murat Yakin's Switzerland announced their 26-man squad on May 20. The Qatar 2022 spine — Akanji, Xhaka, Embolo, Vargas, Kobel — is supplemented by 20-year-old Johan Manzambi (SC Freiburg). 18 of the 26 players have World Cup experience, giving the squad a settled feel.

Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan, ex-Manchester City) anchors the defence; captain Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) runs midfield. Pacey attackers Breel Embolo (Rennes), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) and Rubén Vargas (Sevilla) lead the front line, while veteran Ricardo Rodriguez (33, Real Betis) makes his fourth World Cup with 136 caps.

Group B opponents are Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Canada. The Bosnia clash is loaded with Balkan-heritage subplots through the Swiss squad. Building on consecutive R16 exits (2018, 2022), Switzerland targets a first quarter-final since 1954.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 3-4-2-1.

Yakin's preferred 3-4-2-1. A veteran back three of Akanji, Elvedi and Rodriguez sits behind Xhaka, with wing-backs working both ways and a pacey Embolo–Ndoye–Vargas attack.

3-4-2-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

10
CDM · MF
Granit Xhaka
Sunderland · 33 · Premier League
144 caps · 16G WC: 2014, 2018, 2022
Captain & midfield conductor
CAPTAIN
5
CB · DF
Manuel Akanji
Inter Milan · 30 · Serie A
79 caps · 4G WC: 2018, 2022
Defensive cornerstone
ACE
1
GK · GK
Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund · 28 · Bundesliga
20 caps · 0G WC: 2022
Elite goalkeeper
13
LB · DF
Ricardo Rodriguez
Real Betis · 33 · La Liga
136 caps · 9G WC: 2014, 2018, 2022
Veteran LB & set-piece specialist
7
ST · FW
Breel Embolo
Rennes · 29 · Ligue 1
85 caps · 23G WC: 2018, 2022
Target No.9 (Cameroon-born)
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 8
MF MIDFIELDERS 9
FW FORWARDS 6
GROUP B

GROUP B.

CAN
Canada
POT 1
SUI
Switzerland
POT 2
QAT
Qatar
POT 3
BIH
Bosnia and Herzegovina
POT 4
Sat, Jun 13
Qatar vs Switzerland
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium · Santa Clara, CA
Group B opener. Qatar lack tournament experience and home backing — Switzerland will aim to take the lead through Embolo and Xhaka.
View lineups →
MD1
Thu, Jun 18
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Switzerland
Los Angeles Stadium · Inglewood, CA
A loaded match: many Swiss players have Balkan roots (Xhaka, Shaqiri-era heritage). The Akanji/Elvedi pairing must handle Bosnia's aerial threat.
View lineups →
MD2
Wed, Jun 24
Canada vs Switzerland
Vancouver Stadium · Vancouver
Group decider in Vancouver against hosts Canada. Containing Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan will require Swiss pace and discipline.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group B
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Vancouver vs 3rd place (E/F/G/I/J)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Vancouver vs Winner of Match 87
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 95
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group B
  1. Round of 32 Jun 28 · Inglewood vs Runners-up Group A
  2. Round of 16 Jul 04 · Houston vs Winner of Match 75
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 09 · Foxborough vs Winner of Match 89
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 98
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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