Switzerland announce experienced 26-man World Cup squad with Xhaka and Rodriguez returning
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka and Real Betis defender Ricardo Rodriguez are among four Premier League players included in the Swiss roster, which features surprise omissions from Young Boys.
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, retaining a core of experienced players for the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been named in the squad, marking his fourth successive World Cup appearance and extending his status as Switzerland’s most capped player with 144 international appearances.
The selection reflects a strategic emphasis on continuity, with 17 players included who featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Real Betis defender Ricardo Rodriguez joins Xhaka in making his fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, bringing his total caps to 136. The squad also features four Premier League players, including Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye, Leeds United’s Noah Okafor, and Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni.
Yakin defended the inclusion of Amdouni, who has made only three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season following a long-term knee injury. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the manager confirmed the attacker’s physical readiness. "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 stated.
The announcement included notable omissions, with Young Boys forwards Alvyn Sanches and Joel Monteiro left out despite featuring in March friendlies against Germany and Norway. Conversely, Young Boys forward Christian Fassnacht was selected after topping the Swiss Super League scoring charts with 18 goals, while Cedric Itten was included despite his club, Fortuna Dusseldorf, suffering relegation to the German third tier.
Switzerland will begin their tournament preparations with two friendly matches, hosting Jordan in St Gallen on 31 May and playing Australia in San Diego on 6 June. The team will then travel to Santa Clara to face Qatar in their Group B opener on 13 June, followed by fixtures against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Canada.
