← Back to News
Xhaka makes fourth Switzerland World Cup squad
Teams
B
BBC Sport·2 months ago

Xhaka makes fourth Switzerland World Cup squad

Image caption, Granit Xhaka made his World Cup debut at the 2014 tournament in Brazil

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Granit Xhaka made his World Cup debut at the 2014 tournament in Brazil

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka will take part in his fourth successive Fifa World Cup after being included in the Switzerland squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Xhaka, Switzerland's most capped player with 144 appearances, is one of four Premier League players called up by manager Murat Yakin.

The Swiss captain is joined by Nottingham Forest striker Dan Ndoye, Leeds United forward Noah Okafor and Burnley attacker Zeki Amdouni.

Amdouni has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, after retuning from a long-term knee injury earlier this month.

"Medically, he is 100% fit. He knows our system. He knows his role. That's the reason why I'm very glad he can be part of it," Yakin said of Amdouni during a press conference on Wednesday.

"I think we have selected the best players for the squad and I can't wait to get going."

World Cup 2026: Every nation's squad as they are announced

Published 1 day ago Yakin has selected an experienced 26-man squad, including 17 players who featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Like Xhaka, Real Betis full-back Ricardo Rodriguez will compete at his fourth World Cup in a row and will look to add to his 136 caps.

Young Boys forwards Alvyn Sanches and Joel Monteiro are surprise omissions, having both been in the squad for friendly matches against Germany and Norway in March.

Their team-mate Christian Fassnacht has been selected, after topping the scoring charts in the Swiss Super League with 18 goals, while Cedric Itten is picked despite suffering relegation to the German third tier with Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Switzerland will begin their tournament preparations on Monday, with friendlies against Jordan in St Gallen on 31 May and Australia in San Diego on 6 June.

They will face Qatar in Santa Clara in their opening Group B game on 13 June, followed by fixtures against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada.

Goalkeepers: Marvin Keller (Young Boys), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient).

Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Luca Jaquez (VfB Stuttgart), Miro Muheim (Hamburg), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz).

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas (both Sevilla), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Denis Zakaria (Monaco).

Forwards: Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel Embolo (Stade Rennais), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds United).

Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast

Get football news sent straight to your phone

Sources: BBC Sport

Teams & Groups in this article

Get WC 2026 Updates

Match previews, results, and standings — delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

Argentina World Cup 2026: Messi and Co. Survive Two Knockout Scares to Reach the Quarter-Finals
Teams

Argentina World Cup 2026: Messi and Co. Survive Two Knockout Scares to Reach the Quarter-Finals

A stoppage-time own goal saved them against Cape Verde. A stunning 11-minute salvo saved them against Egypt after going 2–0 down. Argentina are through to the Quarter-Finals — but the defending champions have never looked more mortal getting there.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·13 days ago
Switzerland World Cup 2026: The Nati Survive a Seven-Goal Thriller to Reach the Quarter-Finals
Teams

Switzerland World Cup 2026: The Nati Survive a Seven-Goal Thriller to Reach the Quarter-Finals

A clinical win over Algeria was the calm before the storm. A wild 4–3 win over Colombia showed Switzerland can score with anyone left in the tournament — and concede just as easily. Now Messi's Argentina stand between them and a first-ever World Cup semi-final.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·13 days ago
Brazil World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32
Teams

Brazil World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32

Brazil stumbled against Morocco in their opener but then turned on the style — seven goals in two games, Vinícius Júnior with four and Matheus Cunha with three. The Seleção are clicking into gear at exactly the right moment.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·23 days ago
Japan World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32
Teams

Japan World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32

One win, two draws — Japan's group stage was unbeaten but imperfect. Daichi Kamada and Ayase Ueda each scored twice, and the Blue Samurai's ruthless 4-0 destruction of Tunisia showed their ceiling. Now they face Brazil. The ultimate test.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·23 days ago
Switzerland World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32
Teams

Switzerland World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32

Switzerland won seven of a possible nine points — beating Bosnia 4-1 and edging Canada 2-1 after a draw with Qatar. Johan Manzambi's three goals have been the surprise of the tournament. Algeria await in the Round of 32.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·23 days ago
Algeria World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32
Teams

Algeria World Cup 2026: Journey to the Round of 32

Algeria were destroyed by Argentina and lost on goal difference — then came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Austria. Riyad Mahrez's two goals and the heart shown against Austria define this campaign. Switzerland is the Round of 32 challenge.

W
WC2026 Fans Hub·23 days ago