Switzerland at the World Cup - a chance for the Nati?

So far, Switzerland's national team has been eliminated from the World and European Championships at the quarterfinal stage at the latest. The country's greatest footballing success to date, the silver medal at the Olympic Games, also happened almost 100 years ago. Nevertheless, there is every reason to be hopeful this year.

Major sporting events such as World or European Championships are also popular with all friends of sports betting. Bookmakers provide lucrative odds for shining eyes of all who are interested in sports betting. The Sports betting Switzerland promise attractive prizes with a little luck. Excitement is definitely guaranteed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fact is that with a top-class squad and an ambitious coach, Switzerland has a good chance of playing a successful 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Swiss National Team & the World Cup

Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar posed no problems for the Swiss national football team. With 18 points from eight games and a goal difference of +13, the so-called "Nati" qualified for the upcoming tournament of the world's best football nations without defeat and in a commanding manner. The team ended up winning its group, beating reigning European champions Italy, among others. The upcoming World Cup will be the twelfth World Cup participation for the Swiss national team. In addition, it is the fifth World Cup in a row in which Switzerland is represented at the World Cup finals. However, the "Nati" has never been world champion. The greatest successes are the World Cup quarter-final appearances in 1934, 1938 and 1954. In the recent past, the team never made it past the round of 16.

This was also the case at the past World Cup 2018 in Russia. In a group with Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica, the "Nati" advanced to the round of 16 without defeat, finishing second in the table. Here, however, the Swiss lost to the Swedish national team and were eliminated in the round of 16. Things should go better at the 2022 World Cup. In the meantime, the team has established itself among the top 20 teams in the world. Switzerland is ranked 15th in the FIFA world rankings, making it one of the better-placed teams in the field for the upcoming World Cup.

The current form of the "Nati

The Swiss national team has been in good form for some time now. Especially in 2021, the national players in the jersey of Switzerland were convincing. At the last European Championship, for example, the best European Championship result of all time was achieved. Through a surprising Victory in European Championship round of 16 against reigning world champion France the "Nati" advanced to the quarterfinals. Here, the team only lost to the strong Spanish team in extra time. Overall, Switzerland lost only one of 17 games in the 2021 calendar year during the regular season. And that was despite the fact that the opponents included Spain, France, and twice Italy. This shows the quality of coach Murat Yakin's experienced team.

An ambitious Murat Yakin - with a new coach to the big time?

In August 2021, a change took place in the head coach position of the Swiss national team. Vladimir Petkovic, who had been successful for many years, was succeeded by Murat Yakin. Petkovic coached the team at the past three major tournaments and relinquished his post last year despite still having a contract. However, the "Nati" found a suitable successor in former Bundesliga professional and Switzerland international Murat Yakin.

For Yakin, the task is an affair of the heart. A series of seven unbeaten games at the start of his tenure quickly won him over. Under him, the team qualified for the 2022 World Cup as group winners ahead of European champions Italy. Murat Yakin prefers to field his team in a 4-2-3-1 system. It is also likely that the "Nati" will play in this formation at the upcoming final round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The success so far certainly proves coach Murat Yakin right.

Switzerland's team: the strongest squad ever?

Experts consider Switzerland's current squad to be the best ever. The team is strong on the ball and has an impressive dominance in most games due to a lot of possession. In addition, the squad is loaded with players who have already proven they can decide games on their own in a pinch.

Starting in goal. Here, veteran Yann Sommer of Borussia Mönchengladbach is the undisputed regular goalkeeper. However, Gregor Kobel of Borussia Dortmund is also an excellent alternative.

Manuel Akanji from English champions Manchester City and Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach are set to play in central defense. Behind them, Fabian Schär from Newcastle United and Eray Cömert from Valencia FC are also strong players waiting for action. Competition is even fiercer at the outside back positions. On the right, Silvan Widmer from Mainz 05 and Kevin Mbabu from Fulham FC are in a duel. On the left, the experienced Ricardo Rodriguez from FC Torino will face Ulisses Garcia from Young Boys Bern.

The central midfield is probably the heart of this team. This is where captain and leader Granit Xhaka is set. After a lengthy injury, the now 30-year-old leader has played a significant role in Arsenal London's current wave of success. His performance and qualities as a leading wolf will be decisive for Switzerland's performance.

Alongside him, several strong midfielders are vying for the vacant spot. In addition to Remo Freuler of Nottingham Forest, Denis Zakaria of Chelsea London and Djibril Sow of Eintracht Frankfurt are also part of the Switzerland squad. Both Zakaria and Sow even showed their mettle this season in the Champions League their impressive skills several times. Coach Murat Yakin was spoiled for choice.

The squad is a little thinner on the offensive side. US legionnaire Xherdan Shaqiri from the Chicago Fire is set to play in the attacking center. On the offensive flanks, Renato Steffen from FC Lugano and Christian Fassnacht from Young Boys Bern and youngster Noah Okafor are fighting for time. Ruben Vargas from FC Augsburg and Steven Zuber from AEK Athens are also serious alternatives.

In attack, Breel Embolo from AS Monaco, who is both fast and technically strong, is considered a regular. Behind him, Haris Seferovic from Galatasaray Istanbul and Mario Gavranovic from Kayserispor are likely to take their place on the bench as wild cards.

Conclusion: Switzerland has the potential to at least make it to the World Cup quarterfinals!

It is clear that Switzerland has a strong squad. Moreover, the team has already more than hinted at its abilities at the last major tournaments. The sovereign qualification confirmed the rising form of the "Nati".

In a group with Brazil, Serbia and Cameroon, the round of 16 should definitely be within the realm of possibility. If the team confirms its form from the past games against supposedly stronger teams at the 2022 World Cup, Switzerland could be one of the positive surprises of the tournament.