How will Switzerland fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the Red Crosses in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Switzerland History at the World Cup
Switzerland didn’t qualify for the World Cup between 1966 and 1994. Since then, though, they have been something of a regular, reaching the last 16 in 1994, 2006, 2014 and 2018.
Only twice since 1994 have they failed to qualify (1998, 2002), and 2010 was their only group stage exit over that period, which was unfortunate after picking up four points from three matches.
Switzerland win 2⃣-1⃣ and relegate the Czech Republic ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5MbHeRBt5C
— LiveScore (@livescore) September 27, 2022
While always competitive in the group stage, the Swiss have never been further than the last eight, a feat they most recently achieved when they hosted the tournament in 1954.
Stephan Lichtsteiner and Valon Behrami are tied for the most World Cup appearances with 10 apiece, while Josef Hügi’s six goals in 1954 are the most scored by any Swiss player in World Cup play.
Switzerland’s biggest win at the World Cup is by three goals, a margin of victory achieved against Italy in 1954, Romania in 1994 and Honduras in 2014.
Switzerland Nickname
Like a lot of teams heading for Qatar, Switzerland have a couple of nicknames. Rossocrociati, meaning ‘Red Crosses’, doesn’t take a great deal of working out given the unique nature of the Swiss flag.
Nati or simply ‘National Team’ is as literal at it comes.
World Cup 2022 Group
Switzerland were matched up with the favourites in World Cup winner odds. Brazil are expected to cruise through this group, but the battle for the second qualification spot could be fiercely competitive.
The Rossocrociati will be desperate to start off with a win on 24th November before they face Brazil.
Switzerland Fixtures:
-
Switzerland vs Cameroon – 24th November 2022
-
Switzerland vs Brazil – 28th November 2022
-
Switzerland vs Serbia – 2nd December 2022
Switzerland Kit World Cup 2022
The Switzerland World Cup kits are pretty standard. We can all picture the shade of red used for the home, this time with some horizontal white lines across the chest and shoulders. It’s fine.
Available Now 🛒 https://t.co/NO3ifzmHTL
— Pro:Direct Soccer (@ProD_Soccer) October 7, 2022
4️⃣4️⃣ days until the start of the @fifaworldcup ⚽ Switzerland's 2022 World Cup Home kit spotted during the international break last month 🇨🇭 #Switzerland #PUMAFootball #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3k2apuzGva
There’s less positive news with the away kit. The barcode-look is back, lower down the chest this time on a white base. The red ‘box’ in the middle is questionable at best.
Who Is The Switzerland Manager?
Former Grasshoppers and Basel central defender Murat Yakin is the current Switzerland manager. Yakin managed both of his former teams before succeeding Vladimir Petković as Swiss boss in 2021.
He has won seven of his 15 matches in charge and will lead the team into a major tournament for the first time in Qatar.
Best Switzerland Player
Xherdan Shaqiri was considered Switzerland’s star man for a long time, but that mantle is up for greater debate now with Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Yann Sommer all staking a claim.
Xhaka carries strong form into the tournament, while Swiss fans will be hoping Denis Zakaria can get some game time at Chelsea after his surprise move to west London last summer.
🇨🇭 Switzerland, including Manuel Akanji and Gregor Kobel, have qualified directly for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, sending Italy into the play-offs.
— BVB Newsblog (@bvbnewsblog) November 15, 2021
Congratulations!#BVB pic.twitter.com/Ekj4guU0Od
Switzerland Odds at 2022 World Cup
Switzerland are 9/2 in football betting to win Group G. No more than a longshot when drawn with Brazil, the Swiss are also up against it when it comes to progressing in the knockout rounds with a price of 11/4 to reach the quarters.
They are 80/1 to lift the trophy, a marginally shorter price than Senegal but way longer than Croatia and Uruguay (both 45s).
Bet on Switzerland at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!
