Switzerland have booked their FIFA World Cup 26™ ticket, with a 1-1 draw in Kosovo confirming the nation’s sixth successive appearance at the global finals.
The Swiss have enjoyed an exceptional qualification campaign and Tuesday night’s draw maintained their unbeaten record in Group B. They have recorded four wins and two draws from six matches, scoring 14 and conceding just two.
Having fallen at the Round of 16 at each of the last three World Cups, Switzerland will be intent on finally clearing that hurdle in North America next year. Their best result at the World Cup remains reaching the quarter-finals, which they did in 1934, 1938 and on home soil in 1954.
The nation’s greatest footballing honour is arguably their silver medal at the 1924 Olympic Games. A century on, Switzerland are as stable as they have ever been and firmly established among Europe’s leading sides. They have lost only one of their last 42 World Cup qualifiers (in 2017 against Portugal).
With a well-drilled group that blends experience and youthful energy, Murat Yakin’s team will be aiming to spring a surprise or two in 2026.
“The boys know what’s at stake,” said the head coach. “You can feel it every second — at the hotel, in the dressing room and out on the pitch. They manage to combine joy in their play with the seriousness required.”
The team is led by captain Granit Xhaka, whose experience and presence form the side’s heartbeat. Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2025, and was swiftly named captain of the Premier League club. With more than 140 caps, he is Switzerland’s all-time appearance holder and has been part of the national team set-up since 2011.
Switzerland at the World Cup
First appearance: Italy 1934
Appearances: 13 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Best result: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)
