The countdown is on. In 84 days, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off across the United States, Canada and Mexico. As the Swiss national team prepares for the tournament, head coach Murat Yakin has announced his squad for upcoming friendly matches against Germany and Norway, providing a final opportunity to assess his players before the competition begins. The team will also play a final test match against Jordan in St. Gallen before the World Cup officially starts.
Yakin’s selections emphasize experience, with a roster largely comprised of players who have consistently featured for the national team. The upcoming matches against Germany, on March 27th in Basel, and Norway, on March 31st in Oslo, represent a crucial test against European opposition, particularly with Erling Haaland expected to feature for the Norwegians. These games are the last chance for Yakin to fine-tune his tactics and evaluate potential starting lineups.
“We are looking forward to playing against two top European nations,” Yakin said, according to reporting from watson.ch. “I am happy that it is starting again after a longer break.” The coach expressed satisfaction with the health of his squad, noting the return of Alvyn Sanches, who has been recovering from a knee injury. Sanches suffered a torn cruciate ligament in a test match against Northern Ireland in March 2025, as reported by keystone-sda.
A Look at the Roster
The 26-man squad includes a mix of established stars and emerging talents. Notably, no players from FC Thun, the current leader in the Swiss Super League, were selected. Yakin acknowledged that Kastriot Imeri and Ethan Meichtry, both playing for Thun, are on his radar, but did not make the cut for this particular camp. Alessandro Vogt, a prolific goalscorer for FC St. Gallen who is set to join Hoffenheim in the summer, was also not included.
Yakin emphasized that the door remains open for younger players to break into the squad. He mentioned recent conversations with Sascha Britschgi and Zachary Athekame, outlining the path to earning a spot on the national team. “We have young players who are pushing,” Yakin stated. “Their statistics are interesting. These are all candidates who can accept another step in the next one or two months.”
Germany’s Squad Features Bayern Munich Contingent
Switzerland will face a strong German side in Basel, with a significant representation from Bayern Munich. According to reporting from watson.ch, seven players from Bayern Munich and seven players from English clubs are included in the German squad. Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, appears to be experimenting with his lineup more than Yakin. Despite the absence of Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich players comprise nearly a third of the German roster. Lennart Karl, 18, and goalkeeper Jonas Urbig have received their first call-ups. Kai Havertz returns to the squad after a year-long absence due to injury. Pascal Gross of Brighton & Hove Albion and Anton Stach of Leeds United also make a return to the team after extended periods away from the national setup. Antonio Rüdiger is also back in the squad for the first time this season.
Determining the Final World Cup Opponent
Following the friendlies against Germany and Norway, Switzerland will learn their second opponent in the group stage of the World Cup. This opponent will be determined through playoff matches, with potential matchups against Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina. As watson.ch reported, the playoff final will determine the final spot in Switzerland’s group. Switzerland will open the tournament against Qatar and will also face co-host Canada in their third group stage match.
Yakin expressed a preference for facing Italy, recalling Switzerland’s 2-0 victory over the Italians in the round of 16 at Euro 2024. “I don’t think they would want to play us,” he said. He acknowledged that Wales and Northern Ireland tend to play a more defensive style, while Bosnia and Herzegovina could offer a fresh challenge. “But we’ll take what comes.”
The Swiss team aims to include two or three rookies in the final World Cup squad, providing them with valuable tournament experience. Yakin confirmed that they can select 23 field players and three goalkeepers for the tournament.
The upcoming matches against Germany and Norway are not just about preparation; they are a final opportunity for players to impress Yakin and secure their place in the squad for the World Cup. The stakes are high as Switzerland looks to make a strong showing on the world stage. The Swiss national team’s journey to the 2026 World Cup continues, with the next confirmed checkpoint being the announcement of the final squad in the coming months.
What are your thoughts on Yakin’s squad selections? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below.
