Edimilson Fernandes moved one step closer to featuring at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals after being named in Switzerland’s preliminary 26-man squad.

The Swiss became the last of the 32 competing countries to name a provisional group, with the 26 selected taking part in a training camp and a warm-up friendly with Spain in Villarreal on Sunday 3 June.

Coach Vladimir Petkovic will name his final 23-man squad the following day, Monday 4 June, with Fernandes hoping to join his cousin and namesake Gelson and former West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami on the plane to Russia, where they will face Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica in Group E.

Aside from uncapped goalkeepers Gregor Kobel and Yvon Mbogo, Fernandes is the least experienced player in Petkovic’s 26-man squad with three caps, all of which have ended in victory.

The versatile 22-year-old made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in November 2016 and has since featured in a friendly win at home to Belarus and World Cup qualifying win over Andorra.

Former FC Sion player and Swiss Cup winner Fernandes totalled 16 appearances for the Hammers last season, as his campaign was twice interrupted by ankle problems.

He could be one of four West Ham players at this summer’s tournament alongside Chicharito (Mexico), Cheikhou Kouyate (Senegal) and Manuel Lanzini (Argentina), while loanee Joao Mario (Portugal) is also Russia-bound.