GROUP E
Nickname: Schweizer Nati
Appearances: 10 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Best finish: Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954)
Fifa ranking: 6
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Switzerland needed a debatable penalty in the play-off against Northern Ireland to claim its ticket to Russia. That was, however, after winning nine of its 10 matches in the UEFA Group B qualifiers, including a 2-0 verdict against the newly-crowned Euro champion Portugal.
In Russia, the Swiss are grouped with the mighty Brazil, but they are good enough to advance to the second round. They have the redoubtable Yann Sommer at the goal, and boast some exceptional talents in defence, such as Ricardo Rodriguez and captain Stephan Lichtsteiner, and midfield, where Granit Xhaka's creativity could take the team forward.
Xherdan Shaqiri, on his day, could be one of the world's most dangerous attacking midfielders. Switzerland, however, needs to be sharper up front.
Main striker Haris Seferovic hasn't been in great form – he could score just four goals from 20 games for Benfica. Coach Petkovic's other options are Josip Drmic, Breel Embolo, Mario Gavranovic and Dimitri Oberlin.
THE ORCHESTRATOR
Granit Xhaka: Two years ago in Switzerland’s opening match at the Euro against Albania, he came face to face with his elder brother Taulant Xhaka. Granit too had considered playing for Albania, the country of his origin, and then Kosovo, but fortunately for Switzerland he has remained with its national squad. The 25-year-old Arsenal midfielder has been voted the Swiss player of the year.
Former coach Ottmar Hitzfeld had once called him a young Schweinsteiger; the present one must be hoping he would control his temper in Russia the way he does the ball. Switzerland will look for those passes from Xhaka for a smooth passage to the knock-out stage.
THE GOAL-POACHER
Xherdan Shaqiri: His had made quite an impact at the Brazil World Cup. He was named Man-of-the-Match twice inside 11 days; his second award was for a hat-trick against Honduras that took Switzerland to the second round.
The 26-year-old Stokes star not only scores important goals but spectacular ones as well, like he did with a bicycle kick against Poland at Euro 2016. He has entertained at the Premier League too, especially with his scorching long-rangers, as he emerged as the club's top-scorer with eight goals.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic: There is no limit to the team's potential minutes in Russia. We have no fear; we are travelling without pampers. Our role models are Switzerland's ice hockey players (who finished runner-up at the World championship a few days ago).
DID YOU KNOW?
The World Cup game that holds the record for the highest number of goals featured Switzerland. It was at the receiving end though, that too at home, as it was beaten 5-7 by Austria at Lausanne in 1954. That was after the Swiss took a 3-0 lead by the 19th minute.
3: The number of players from the Under-17 World Cup-winning team of Switzerland that will feature in Russia. Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez and Haris Seferovic are those men.
Opening fixtures:
June 17 vs. Brazil
June 22 vs. Serbia
June 27 vs. Costa Rica
