Switzerland World Cup squad 2022: Final list of 26 players for national team in Qatar

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Xherdan Shaqiri Switzerland
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Switzerland have been procuring a reputation as giant slayers in recent times, so Brazil and co. beware: Murat Yakin's squad are back and in axe-swinging mood. 

The Swiss are often touted as underdogs going into major tournaments, owing to a perceived lack of star names — but make no mistake, this is a serious tournament team that has spent years together building a strong chemistry.

They've progressed from the group stages at five of their last six major tournaments, and rocked Euro 2020 by knocking-out the world champions, France. 

In qualifying for Qatar 2022, Arsenal's Granit Xhaka and his international teammates went unbeaten to seal first place in UEFA Group C and beat Euro 2020 champions Italy, who ultimately crashed out in the playoffs.

The Swiss are a team to watch in Qatar. 

More: Switzerland's Group G opponents at Qatar 2022 

Final 26-man Switzerland World Cup roster

Yakin named his final 26-man squad on Wednesday, November 9, five days ahead of the FIFA-imposed deadline.

Nations had until Friday, October 21 to submit an official preliminary list of 35-55 players to FIFA, from which they were required to select a final 26-man roster for Qatar by Monday, November 14.

Here's the final 26-man list. (Stats correct as of start of Qatar 2022)

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
GK 1 Yann Sommer Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) 33 77
GK 21 Gregor Kobel Borussia Dortmund (GER) 24 3
GK 24 Philipp Kohn RB Salzburg (AUT) 24 0
GK 12 Jonas Omlin Montpellier (FRA)  24 3
DEF 22 Fabian Schar Newcastle (ENG) 30 73
DEF 5 Manuel Akanji  Manchester City (ENG) 27 43
DEF 13 Ricardo Rodriguez Torino (ITA)  30 100
DEF 4 Nico Elvedi Borussia Monchengladbach (GER) 26 40
DEF 3 Silvan Widmer Mainz (GER) 29 34
DEF 18 Eray Comert  Valencia (SPA) 24 10
DEF 2 Edimilson Fernandes Mainz (GER) 26 22
DEF 11 Renato Steffen Lugano (SWI)  30 27
MID 10 Granit Xhaka Arsenal (ENG) 30 107
MID 8 Remo Freuler Nottingham Forest (ENG) 30 49
MID 20 Fabian Frei Basel (SWI) 33 22
MID 6 Denis Zakaria Chelsea (ENG) 25 43
MID 15 Djibril Sow Frankfurt (GER) 25 32
MID 14 Michel Aebischer Bologna (ITA) 25 11
MID 15 Christian Fassnacht Young Boys (SUI) 28 15
MID 26 Ardon Jashari Luzern (SWI)  20 1
MID 25 Fabian Rieder Young Boys (SUI) 0 0
MID 23 Xherdan Shaqiri  Chicago Fire (USA) 31 109
FWD 17 Ruben Vargas Augsburg (GER) 24 27
FWD 19 Noah Okafor RB Salzburg (AUT) 22 8
FWD 9 Haris Seferovic Galatasaray (TUR) 30 88
FWD 7 Breel Embolo Monaco (FRA) 25 59

The most notable absences from the final list are:

  • Yvon Mvogo (Lorient)
  • David Von Ballmoos (Young Boys) 
  • Kevin Mbabu (Fulham)
  • Jordan Lotomba (Nice)
  • Leonidas Stergiou (St Gallen)
  • Steven Zuber (AEK Athens)
  • Cedric Itten (Young Boys)
  • Dan Ndoye (Basel)
  • Mario Gavranovic (Kayserispor)

Goalkeeper Mvogo is known to have picked up a thigh injury while playing for Lorient in Ligue 1 against Paris Saint-Germain.

Young Boys midfielder Fabian Rieder, 20, is called up for the first time, and Sturm Graz defender Gregory Wuthrich is in contention for the first time after being placed on a 13-man standby list.

WORLD CUP 2022 SELECTED SQUADS:

Australia | Argentina | Belgium | Brazil | Cameroon 
Canada | Costa Rica | Croatia | Denmark | England
France | Germany | Ghana | Iran | Japan | Mexico
Netherlands | Poland | Portugal | Qatar | Senegal
Serbia | Spain | Switzerland | Uruguay | USA | Wales 

Switzerland best player, strengths & weaknesses

The Swiss brought a veteran team into the last World Cup and are making the trip to Qatar without a few familiar stalwarts like now retired Stephan Lichtsteiner and Valon Behrami. 

However, new faces have stepped up to lead, and the Swiss will once again be a stubborn, well-drilled side. 

Stars

Granit Xhaka has always been a dependable force for Switzerland but his club form has been transformed this season, with the midfielder a powerful force in Arsenal's Premier League-chasing squad. 

Both he and Chicago Fire's Xherdan Shaqiri will edge ever closer to their nation's all-time appearance record in Qatar, which stands at 118 caps, while functioning as the lifeblood and spine of this team.

Monaco's Breel Embolo will be the go-to man in attack and a strong start to the Ligue 1 season suggests he'll be ready for Qatar. 

Strengths

Switzerland's old national stereotype of being well-drilled and efficient has traditionally translated onto the pitch. 

Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar and Mauel Akanji are a resolute combination at the back. (And judging by this recent interview, Akanji is as impressive off the pitch thanks to his incredible math skills as he is on it!)

Weaknesses

There's nothing particularly flashy in this team, which undoubtedly makes them a well-balanced fighting force. But it can leave the Swiss lacking imagination when faced with a stubborn backline. Shaqiri would once have had the magic to unlock a game, but at 31 his powers are fading. 

A lack of depth behind him in the creative roles is their major question. It's the same story in attack, where Embolo and Haris Seferovic are crucial for providing the goals. 

Switzerland fixtures and match schedule

Date Match Time (ET) Stadium
Thurs, Nov. 24 Switzerland 1, Cameroon 0 5 a.m. Al Janoub
Mon, Nov. 28 Brazil 1, Switzerland 0 11 a.m. Stadium 974
Fri, Dec. 2 Serbia 2, Switzerland 3 2 p.m. Stadium 974
Tue, Dec 6 Portugal vs. Switzerland 2 p.m. Lusail

Can Switzerland replace players on World Cup roster?

Once the final 26-man roster is official, participating teams at the World Cup can only make changes before the first game of the tournament, and only in the case of extraordinary circumstances.

According to the official tournament rules, "a player listed on the final list may only be replaced in the event of serious injury or illness up until 24 hours before the start of his team's first match."

The team in question would need to submit a medical report to FIFA and if the world governing body determines "the injury or illness is sufficiently serious to prevent the player from taking part in the FIFA World Cup" then the replacement will be allowed. 

The replacement player must come from the preliminary list of players submitted to FIFA in October.

Author(s)
Toby Miles Photo

Toby Miles is a freelance content producer for The Sporting News.