Swiss team: 2026 World Cup qualifying begins in Basel

Switzerland-Kosovo a crucial match

The Swiss national football team begins its qualifying campaign for the 2018/19 World Cup on Friday evening in Basel. 2026 World Cup. Facing Kosovo (kick-off at 8:45 p.m., RTS 2), Murat Yakin's men already have no room for error. After a solid Euro 2024 that ended in the quarter-finals against England, the Nati want to confirm their status and aim for direct qualification, without going through the play-offs.

A series of six matches in eleven weeks

The match against Kosovo is the first of six matches scheduled in just eleven weeks. Inter defender Manuel Akanji emphasizes the importance of starting well:

"The good news is that we have two home games to start with."

After Kosovo, Switzerland will host Slovenia before two perilous trips to Sweden and Slovenia in October.

The end of experiments for Murat Yakin

Since last November and their relegation to the Nations League, the Nati have not played a competitive match. The four friendlies played in the spring, including convincing victories against Mexico (4-2) and the United States (4-0), helped them regain confidence. But now, there is no question of testing: Murat Yakin is expected to return to the 4-1-4-1 formation that has proven successful.

A strengthened Swiss team but handicapped by injury

In terms of the squad, Switzerland can count on the stability of its senior players. Captain Granit Xhaka, a former Bayer Leverkusen mainstay now at Subderland, is in great form. Dan Ndoye has settled in well in the Premier League, while Breel Embolo and Manuel Akanji have settled their contractual futures. Ruben Vargas, back with Sevilla, provides an additional attacking solution.

The only cloud on the horizon remains the injury of Ardon Jashari, who suffered a fracture of his right fibula during training with AC Milan.

The weight of the latest Nati campaigns

The Swiss team has qualified for the last five World Cups, with their best result being a round of 16 finish in 2022 (elimination against Portugal, 6-1). In the European Championship, they have two consecutive quarter-final appearances: in 2021 (elimination by Spain on penalties) and in 2024 (defeated by England 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw). These consistent performances confirm the Swiss as a reliable player in European football, but they must make a step up to aim for the semi-finals of a major tournament.

North America Target 2026

The ambition is clear: to secure direct qualification for the World Cup to be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. To achieve this, Switzerland will need to demonstrate, from the match against Kosovo, the consistency and solidity that have characterized its best campaigns.

Nati Calendar 6 matches in less than 3 months!