Granit Xhaka leads Switzerland for FIFA World Cup 2026

Veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka is ready to lead Switzerland into another major international battle after being named in the country’s 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

At 33, the Swiss captain is preparing for his seventh consecutive major tournament, further cementing his legacy as one of the nation’s greatest football figures. Head coach Murat Yakin placed his trust once again in the experienced midfielder as Switzerland aims to continue its impressive run on the world stage.

One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement was the inclusion of Zeki Amdouni. The Burnley forward has played only limited minutes this season after recovering from a serious knee injury, but Yakin believes his experience within the national setup makes him valuable.

“He understands our style, our movements, and his role within the team,” Yakin said while defending the surprise selection.

Switzerland heads into the tournament with growing confidence after consistently reaching the knockout stages in recent years. The team reached the last 16 in each of the previous three World Cups and also made the quarter-finals at the last two European Championships.

Before opening their campaign, the Swiss side will play warm-up matches against Jordan and Australia. Their World Cup journey officially begins against Qatar in San Francisco on June 13, followed by clashes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada.

With Xhaka’s leadership and a balanced squad blending youth with experience, Switzerland hopes to surprise the football world once again.

Switzerland squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

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

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

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

Forwards: Noah Okafor (Leeds), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel Embolo (Rennes), Ruben Vargas (Sevilla), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Duesseldorf)