Switzerland finished ahead of Italy to top their World Cup qualifying group, and recent Nations League wins over Spain and Portugal mean they go into the tournament full of confidence.
Unbeaten in the group stage in 2018, when also drawn with Brazil and Serbia, but they have fallen at the last-16 hurdle in three of the last four World Cups.
Here’s everything you need to know about Switzerland…
Coach: Murat Yakin. Appointed after Euro 2020, the former Switzerland defender beat Chelsea twice as Basel manager in 2013.
Captain: Granit Xhaka. The Arsenal midfielder goes into his fifth major tournament in the form of his life.
Star player: Manuel Akanji. The defender has surprised many with his superb performances since joining Manchester City.
One to watch: Breel Embolo. Eight goals for Monaco this season, the forward needs to lead the line well in Qatar.
World ranking: 15
Odds: 90/1
Best thing about them: They usually find a way to reach the knockout stage, losing only two of their last 12 World Cup group-stage matches.
Worst thing about them: Goals don’t exactly flow - Embolo was top scorer in qualifying with three.
Their prospects in three words: Serbia match decisive.
Fixtures (all times GMT)
- November 24 vs Cameroon (10am)
- November 28 vs Brazil (4pm)
- December 2 vs Serbia (7pm)
Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yann Sommer, Jonas Omlin, Philipp Kohn
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Fabian Schar, Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodriguez, Edimilson Fernandes
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Xherdan Shaqiri, Renato Steffen, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Fabian Frei, Remo Freuler, Noah Okafor, Fabian Rieder, Ardon Jashari
Forwards: Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas, Djibril Sow, Haris Seferovic, Christian Fassnacht
