Everyone is pulling in the right direction in a multi-cultural squad but Vladimir Petkovic is aware of his team’s limits

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June.

This is a team very similar to the one at Euro 2016 but they have come together as a squad in the past three years and may benefit from that in Russia.

Ricardo Rodriguez: Swiss defender who was given a 50% chance of living Read more

There are still a lot of Swiss supporters who cannot understand that the majority of players do not sing the national anthem, but one thing is clear: this team are multi-cultural and the players realise that and are doing their best to come together as a force.



It was in May 2015 when the captain, Stephan Lichtsteiner, started the discussion, saying: “Swiss people want to identify with the national team. It is vital to find the right balance and the right mix. My concern is not about ‘real Swiss’ and the ‘other Swiss’ but that the people can continue to identify with the national team. It’s a delicate subject, I know that. But it is also an issue that we cannot ignore.”

Lichtsteiner was keen to get players such as Pirmin Schwegler (Hannover 96) and Tranquillo Barnetta (FC St Gallen) involved in the national team but they were not in France in 2016 and will not be in Russia either.

The vice-captain, Valon Behrami, who fled Kosovo with his family, has played a big part in getting everyone pulling in the right direction and the national coach, Vladimir Petkovic, says: “Everyone in our team likes to be together with the other players – and they are there for each other. And for me, that is key to any success. We have found a very good formula; and the results we have achieved help us to consolidate it. We have invested a lot in these issues. The basic attitude is very positive and the public is extremely appreciative of our achievements. I really appreciate this as there were times when, despite our sporting success, these discussions kept cropping up.”

In goal, Yann Sommer is a certainty, as are Fabian Schär and Ricardo Rodríguez in defence. There is a question over whether Johan Djourou or Manuel Akanji will play alongside Schär in central defence. In defensive midfield, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and the Udinese “warrior” Valon Behrami are set to start.

Xherdan Shaqiri, Blerim Dzemaili and, after Admir Mehmedi failed to recover from foot surgery, Steven Zuber are likely to occupy the three attacking midfield roles, with Haris Seferovic up front. One option, however, is to have Shaqiri behind Seferovic with Breel Embolo on the right.

Petkovic seems quietly confident: “The team has grown collectively. It has cultivated a good style and can be flexible when needed. But we should keep our feet firmly on the ground because, frankly, we are not that good [compared with some teams]. We’ve got to keep working, with great love for football. There is a gap to the top teams but therefore I expect even more determination to close that gap.”

Probable starting XI



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Switzerland probable starting XI

Which player is going to surprise everyone at the 2018 World Cup?

The central defender Manuel Akanji is only 22 but already a first-teamer at Borussia Dortmund. Some critics have accused him of rushing things, such as when he moved from second division FC Winterthur to the serial champions FC Basel at the age of 20 or when he joined Dortmund in January 2018 having recovered from a cruciate ligament injury. So far, though, he has had all the answers and may do again this summer.

Which player is likely to disappoint?

Haris Seferovic has not had much playing time in 2018 and could struggle in Russia. Would it not have been better to select someone such as Albian Ajeti, who won the Golden Boot in Switzerland last season?

What is the realistic aim for Iran at the World Cup and why?

Anyone who plays in a group with the five-times world champions Brazil cannot dream of first place. And if you finish second, which Switzerland easily could, ahead of Costa Rica and Serbia, you are likely to face Germany in the last 16 – and then it is time to pack your bags.

Max Kern writes for Blick.

Follow him on Twitter here.