Switzerland

The Road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Switzerland faced a tough qualifying battle against Portugal, but got their campaign off to the perfect start with victory at home versus the Euro 2016 winners in a sensational first match. The Swiss proved that was no fluke, and claimed maximum points from their subsequent clashes with Hungary, the Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Andorra – meaning they were on a nine-game winning streak going into the final group match against the Portuguese.

By that point Portugal had also upped their game, however, not dropping a single point following their opening defeat. Their superior goal difference also mean that, should they beat the Swiss in the group decider, they would secure the automatic berth at Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup – and so it proved as Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. won 2-0 in Lisbon, sending Switzerland to the play-offs.

That mean Switzerland had to overcome Northern Ireland. In a tight encounter, the Swiss booked their spot in Russia thanks to a controversial first-leg penalty awarded by referee Ricardo Rodriguez, meaning they prevailed 1-0 on aggregate.

Stars

In recent years Xherdan Shaqiri has almost invariably been hailed as the leading Swiss star. He hit something of a downward trend in form after leaving Bayern Munich, but is still key to the national team and can play any midfielder position, as well as being a goal-scoring threat. Shaqiri, who currently plays for English club Stoke, is the team’s top scorer in the current line-up with 20 goals.

Haris Seferovic, playing for Portuguese club Benfica, top scored for the Swiss during qualifying, with his four goals coming against Andorra, Hungary and Latvia. He has made the position of center-forward his own.

Team captain Stephan Lichtsteiner, a defender, is another integral part of the team. He is on course to break the 100 cap mark, is improving with age and has shown to be a real leader for the team.

Last but not least, Granit Xhaka, the defensive midfielder, has become indispensable at club team Arsenal, with his full-blooded, tough-tackling approach also vital to Swiss chances in Russia.

Coach

Vladimir Petkovic took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld as head coach after the 2014 World Cup. The appointment took place amid a backdrop of scandal and was announced six months earlier. Lazio were angry over behind-the-scenes talks and fired the coach, causing Petkovic to spend six months without work.

Things have so far gone well under Petkovic. Switzerland have moved beyond being an average side, but have not yet become heavyweights. Petkovic led Switzerland to Euro 2016 and helped them secure second place in the group stage, but the side lost to Poland in a shootout. The team is aiming to go further in Russia.

Over the past three and a half years under Petkovic, Switzerland have claimed more than 20 victories. Losses in friendlies have affected Petkovic’s statistics, but in official matches his side has lost only five times, an impressive return.

Past Achievements

Switzerland will be appearing at the World Cup Finals for the 11th in Russia this summer.

The Swiss initially made regular appearances at the World Cup, missing just one tournament between 1934 and 1966. Back then, competition was not as fierce and Switzerland were able to enjoy some promising returns. They made it to the quarter-finals three times and in 1954, when the knockout stages were not yet in place, they claimed sixth place.

In the 1960s, Switzerland were knocked out after suffering three losses at successive World Cups. After that, they failed to qualify until USA ‘94. They came out second from the group with Romania, USA, and Colombia, but were routed by Spain in the round of 16.

Since 2006, Switzerland have never missed the World Cup but getting out of the group stage has proved beyond them. During the World Cup in Germany in 2006, the Swiss didn’t concede a goals from open play but crashed out in the round of 16 after failing to score in the shootout versus Ukraine. Four years later, the Swiss began the stage with a shock victory over Spain, but did not make it to the knockout stage. In Brazil, their hopes were dashed in the first knockout stage by a late goal from Argentina in the 118th minute.