dpa
Stuttgart
Captain Granit Xhaka leads Switzerland’s 26-player squad for the World Cup in Qatar, and coach Murat Yakin has also nominated injured goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Sommer has not played lately for his German club Borussia Mönchengladbach due to a left ankle injury and could also miss the first games in Qatar.
The 32-year-old is among seven players from the German Bundesliga in the Swiss squad, including Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The Swiss have plenty of experience, with around half of the team featuring in three previous big events.
Former Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri, now at Chicago Fire and with 108 caps, will play in his fourth World Cup and has also featured at two Euros.
The squad also includes Xhaka from Premier League leaders Arsenal, Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria. The only novice is young midfielder Fabian Rieder from Bern side Young Boys.
“Together we want to make history. For our fans and for our beautiful and diverse country,” Yakin said.
“We were spoilt for choice in some positions. Many players have delivered convincing performances in recent weeks and months.”
“Many players have delivered convincing performances in recent weeks and months. But in the end, I had to limit myself to 26 names. I’m convinced that these 26 players can always help us to achieve our goals.”
The Swiss will leave for the Middle East in Monday and play a final tune-up game against Ghana in Abu Dhabi three days later.
Switzerland begin their difficult Group G campaign on November 24 against Cameroon before facing familiar opposition in Brazil and Serbia, who were both part of the Swiss’ 2018 World Cup group.
