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Switzerland will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without Xherdan Shaqiri on the roster. It’s the first time since 2010 that the Swiss have entered a World Cup without the diminutive playmaker.
Shaqiri announced his retirement from international football on July 15, 2024, shortly after the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. He walked away with 125 caps and 32 goals for his country.
A four-World Cup career comes to a close
Shaqiri featured in four consecutive World Cups, starting with South Africa in 2010, then Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022. He also represented the national team at three European Championships. His 32 goals across 125 appearances average out to roughly a goal every four matches.
Shaqiri is currently playing his club football at FC Basel in the Swiss Super League.
What does Switzerland’s squad look like now?
The Swiss squad for the 2026 World Cup has been set at 26 players. Coach Murat Yakin will lean heavily on captain Granit Xhaka, the Arsenal-turned-Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
Switzerland has been drawn into Group B for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which takes place across North America. Their group stage opponents include Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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