After a strong start, Switzerland eventually had an underwhelming Euro qualifying campaign.
Failing to top Group I ahead of Romania, the Switzerland Euro 2024 squad will be hoping to rise to the occasion of Germany 2024 and take their place as perennial dark horses.
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Switzerland – Key facts
Year founded: 1924
Nickname: Rossocrociati
Current FIFA ranking: 19
Highest FIFA ranking: 3 (1993)
Year of Euro debut: 1996
Best Euro performance: Quarter-finals (2021)
Player to watch: Noah Okafor
Full Switzerland Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers:
Defenders:
- Manuel Akanji
- Nico Elvedi
- Ricardo Rodriguez
- Fabian Schär
- Leonidas Stergiou
- Silvan Widmer
- Cédric Zesiger
Midfielders:
Attackers:
Surprise inclusions in Switzerland Euro 2024 squad
Vincent Sierro
Midfielder Vincent Sierro has proven something of a late bloomer. At 28, he has made just two appearances for his nation, but has been called up to represent Switzerland at the Euros.
Sierro joined French side Toulouse in January 2023, and has quickly become one of the premier midfielders in Ligue 1. He has been appointed captain, and won plaudits for his all-action style.
Kwadwo Duah
Truly from left-field, 27-year-old attacker Kwadwo Duah has made just one appearance for Switzerland ahead of Euro 2024.
The England-born forward currently plies his trade with Bulgarian outfit Ludogerets, and is a consistent goalscorer, having scored ten or more goals in his last three campaigns.
In-form players for Switzerland
Yann Sommer
Yann Sommer made his Switzerland debut all the way back in 2012, and is set to add yet more caps to his sizable collection at this tournament.
The 35-year-old has been one of Europe’s best shot stoppers this season, and has the most clean sheets in Europe’s top five leagues. Gregor Kobel is an excellent goalkeeper too, but at just 26, his time will come.
Granit Xhaka
In the middle is where Switzerland’s quality really shines though. Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka will be well known and monitored closely by most of Germany's squad in their upcoming clash, following his superb club season
Xhaka has been one of Europe’s finest midfielders for two years now, and is one of our outside picks for player of the tournament. Xhaka always turns up for his nation, even against the very best, such as against France at Euro 2020.
Switzerland Predicted Euro 2024 XI
Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has generally opted for a back three in recent years, switching between a five and a two ahead of them or a four and a three depending on the opponent.
As mentioned above, Yann Sommer is all but certain to start between the sticks.
Ahead of him, Switzerland are blessed with two superb Premier League centre-backs in Manuel Akanji and Fabian Schär, who are guaranteed starters. Ricardo Rodriguez is often the third member of the back three.
Switzerland’s first-choice wing-backs of late have been Mainz 05’s Silvan Widmer on the right, and Marseille’s Ulisses Garcia, who played home and away against Manchester City when at BSC Young Boys earlier in the season.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka will captain the side and dictate play. Remo Freuler has been superb at Thiago Motta’s Bologna. At the tip of midfield will likely be Xherdan Shaqiri, who is Switzerland’s maverick, and is his nation’s third highest scorer.
Leading the line will likely be a strike partnership of Noah Okafor and Zeki Amdouni.
Switzerland vs Hungary
(3-4-1-2) Sommer; Akanji, Schär, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Garcia; Shaqiri; Okafor, Amdouni
Switzerland kick off their campaign against Hungary, and will fancy their chances.
If the Swiss rear guard can contain dangerman Dominik Szoboszlai, they can feel confident of a winning start.
As such, we expect Murat Yakin to name an attacking lineup.
Switzerland vs Scotland
(3-4-1-2) Sommer; Akanji, Schär, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Ndoye; Shaqiri; Embolo, Amdouni
Scott McTominay's runs from deep will need to be tracked carefully, but Switzerland have a far higher quality of player in their squad. As such, we expect Switzerland to go strong again, with only a few rotations.
Switzerland vs Germany
(3-5-2) Sommer; Akanji, Schär, Elvedi; Widmer, Freuler, Zakaria, Xhaka, Garcia; Shaqiri, Okafor
Switzerland's group will culminate in a clash with neighbours and hosts Germany.
The Germans are a stronger side, and as such, we expect Murat Yakin to adapt his approach.
Amdouni will make way for the combative Denis Zakaria to bolster the midfield, with Shaqiri playing higher up.
Okafor will return to the lineup too, with his blistering pace an excellent outlet on the counter-attack.
