Switzerland aims to replicate their success from the last tournament in Euro 2024 after a disappointing exit from the 2022 World Cup. Under present boss Murat Yakin, the Swiss Army are in fine form with a squad with tournament experience and stars playing in Europe’s top five leagues. A team game is required to escape a group containing Scotland, Hungary and hosts Germany if Switzerland wishes to be in the knockouts for the third consecutive time. Their tournament journey begins at Koln on Saturday, 15 June 2024.
History
Switzerland has appeared at five Euros since debuting in 1996. The team exited from the group stage in their first three participation but broke the jinx in 2016 by advancing to the Round of 16 in France. Switzerland made it to the quarterfinals for the first time in Euro 2020 under then-manager Vladimir Petković. The Swiss Army finished as one of the best third-placed teams, behind eventual winners Italy and Wales, to qualify for the last-16 stage where they played a crazy 3-3 draw with then-World Cup holders France but outwitted them on penalties. However, they faced elimination in the next round by ending on the losing side of a shootout this time against Spain following the 1-1 draw after extra time. Xherdan Shaqiri scored the equaliser and the last goal for his team in consecutive Euros being Switzerland’s top scorer in the tournament with four.
Qualification to Euro 2024
Murat Yakin’s team finished second in their qualifying group, four points behind winners Romania but two points better than third-place Israel, to book the ticket to Euro 2024. The side scored the most goals in their group though with 22. Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni grabbed six goals in the qualifiers, the same as Portugal’s Bruno Fernandes and Norway’s Erling Haaland. Switzerland lost just one game in the qualifiers and the only time they suffered defeat since the elimination from the World Cup in 2022. The team remained unbeaten in 13 of the last 14 games, claiming seven wins. They maintained their undefeated record before heading to Euro with a 4-0 victory over Estonia and a 1-1 draw against plucky Austria in June friendlies.
Switzerland squad for Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Inter), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Gregor Kobel (Dortmund)
Defenders: Leonidas Stergiou (Stuttgart), Silvan Widmer (Mainz), Nico Elvedi (Mönchengladbach), Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), Ricardo Rodriguez (Torino), Cédric Zesiger (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schär (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Denis Zakaria (Monaco), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen), Vincent Sierro (Toulouse), Michel Aebischer (Bologna), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire), Ardon Jashari (Luzern), Fabian Rieder (Rennes)
Forwards: Breel Embolo (Monaco), Noah Okafor (AC Milan), Renato Steffen (Lugano), Steven Zuber (AEK Athens), Ruben Vargas (FC Augsburg), Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets), Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley)
Captain: Granit Xhaka
Manager: Murat Yakin
Star Player: Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka hopes to build stronger performances at the international level after finding his true self in the past two seasons at the club level. The 31-year-old had an excellent season with Arsenal in 2022/23 but scripting a fairytale with Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten title victory the following campaign became noteworthy. Xhaka became a key contributor to the win by dictating proceedings for Xabi Alonso’s team in midfield. The left-footer topped the Bundesliga chart in passing accuracy and improved his discipline on the pitch, showing his transformative character. He played an instrumental part in Switzerland’s rise in the last two Euros and will wish for more success as the captain this time.
Formation: How will Switzerland Lineup at Euro 2024?
Switzerland Fixtures for Euro 2024
Saturday, 15 June 2024
Hungary vs Switzerland - RheinEnergieStadion, Koln (18:30)
Thursday, 20 June 2024
Scotland vs Switzerland - RheinEnergieStadion, Koln (00:30)
Monday, 24 June 2024
Switzerland vs Germany - Waldstadion, Frankfurt (00:30)
