Switzerland national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) | A-Team Nati (National Team) Rossocrociati (Red Crosses) |
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Association | Swiss Football Association | |||||||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||||||
Head coach | Murat Yakin | |||||||
Captain | Granit Xhaka | |||||||
Most caps | Granit Xhaka (135) | |||||||
Top scorer | Alexander Frei (42) | |||||||
Home stadium | Various | |||||||
FIFA code | SUI | |||||||
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FIFA ranking | ||||||||
Current | 8 ![]() |
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Highest | 3 (August 1993) | |||||||
Lowest | 83 (December 1998) | |||||||
Elo ranking | ||||||||
Current | 12 ![]() |
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Highest | 8 (June 2018) | |||||||
Lowest | 62 (October 1979) | |||||||
First international | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Paris, France; 12 February 1905) |
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Biggest win | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Paris, France; 25 May 1924) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||||||
![]() ![]() (Basel, Switzerland; 20 May 1909) ![]() ![]() (Budapest, Hungary; 29 October 1911) |
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World Cup | ||||||||
Appearances | 12 (first in 1934) | |||||||
Best result | Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954) | |||||||
European Championship | ||||||||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1996) | |||||||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2020, 2024) | |||||||
Nations League Finals | ||||||||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2019) | |||||||
Best result | Fourth place (2019) | |||||||
Medal record
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The Switzerland national football team is the official men's football team for Switzerland. They are often called the A-Team or Nati. The team is managed by the Swiss Football Association.
Switzerland has done well in major tournaments. They reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup three times: in 1934, 1938, and 1954. In 1954, Switzerland hosted the World Cup. They played a thrilling quarter-final match against Austria, losing 7–5. This is still the highest-scoring World Cup match ever!
At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Switzerland made a special record. They were knocked out without letting in a single goal during regular play. They lost to Ukraine in a penalty shootout. They kept this amazing defensive record until the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They didn't concede a goal for 559 minutes in World Cup matches, setting a new record!
Switzerland also co-hosted UEFA Euro 2008 with Austria. They reached the Round of 16 at Euro 2016. Their best performance at the Euros was reaching the quarter-finals in 2020 and 2024. In 2020, they even beat world champions France!
Their best ever result in an official competition was winning a silver medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. They lost 3–0 to Uruguay in the final match.
Contents
History of Swiss Football
Early Years and World Cup Hosting (1924–1966)

In 1924, Switzerland won a silver medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. They lost to Uruguay in the final. Their first time playing in the World Cup was in 1934. They reached the quarter-finals but lost to Czechoslovakia.
Switzerland made it to the quarter-finals again in 1938. They beat Germany in the Round of 16. However, they were then knocked out by Hungary.
In 1950, Switzerland played in a group with Brazil, Yugoslavia, and Mexico. They finished third in their group.
Switzerland hosted the 1954 FIFA World Cup. They finished second in their group, beating Italy. They reached the quarter-finals but lost a high-scoring game, 7–5, to Austria.
The team struggled in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. They finished last in their groups in both tournaments, losing all their matches.
The Roy Hodgson Era (1992–1996)
In 1992, Roy Hodgson became the coach. Switzerland had not been to a major tournament since 1966. Under Hodgson, Switzerland's ranking in the FIFA World Rankings rose to 3rd in August 1993. This is still their highest ranking ever!
Hodgson led Switzerland to the 1994 FIFA World Cup. They only lost one game during the qualifying rounds. In the World Cup, they drew 1–1 with hosts United States. They then won 4–1 against Romania. Even though they lost their last group game, they still made it out of the group. They were then knocked out by Spain, losing 3–0.
The Köbi Kuhn Era (2000–2008)
Switzerland easily qualified for UEFA Euro 1996. They topped their qualifying group, losing only once. However, their tournament was disappointing. They finished last in their group after drawing with England and losing to the Netherlands and Scotland.
They did not qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
For UEFA Euro 2004, Switzerland finished first in their qualifying group. They went to the finals in Portugal. They drew 0–0 with Croatia. Then they lost 3–0 to England and 3–1 to France. They finished last in their group. Johan Vonlanthen scored their only goal. He became the youngest goalscorer ever at the Euros.
Switzerland qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They beat Turkey in a play-off. In the tournament, they drew 0–0 with France. They then beat Togo 2–0 and South Korea 2–0. They finished first in their group without letting in any goals! In the Round of 16, they lost to Ukraine in a penalty shootout. They were the only team in the tournament to be eliminated without conceding a goal in open play.
Switzerland and Austria co-hosted UEFA Euro 2008. Switzerland lost their first two matches to the Czech Republic and Turkey. They won their final group match 2–0 against Portugal.
The Ottmar Hitzfeld Era (2008–2014)
At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Switzerland surprised everyone by beating eventual champions Spain 1–0. However, they were still knocked out in the group stage. In their second match, Chile scored against them, ending their amazing 559-minute streak without conceding a goal in World Cup matches. This broke Italy's previous record. They drew 0–0 with Honduras in their last group game.

Switzerland did not qualify for UEFA Euro 2012. They finished third in their qualifying group.
At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Switzerland were in a group with France, Honduras, and Ecuador. They made it to the Round of 16 by beating Honduras 3–0. Xherdan Shaqiri scored all three goals! In the knockout match, they lost 1–0 to Argentina in the 118th minute.
The Vladimir Petković Era (2016–2021)
At Euro 2016, Switzerland played in a group with hosts France, Albania, and Romania. They won 1–0 against Albania and drew 1–1 with Romania. Their final group game against France was a 0–0 draw. This game was famous for Swiss players' jerseys ripping and the ball bursting! Switzerland finished second in their group.
In the Round of 16, they played Poland. Switzerland scored a late equalizer with an amazing bicycle-kick from Xherdan Shaqiri. The game went to extra time and then a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Granit Xhaka missed his penalty, and Poland won 5–4.
For the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Switzerland had a strong qualifying campaign. They started with a surprising 2–0 win over European champions Portugal. They won nine of their ten group games. They had to play in a play-off against Northern Ireland. They won 1–0 on aggregate and qualified for the World Cup in Russia. Before the World Cup, Switzerland was ranked 6th in the world.

At the 2018 World Cup, Switzerland were in a group with Brazil, Serbia, and Costa Rica. They drew 1–1 with Brazil. They then beat Serbia 2–1 with a late goal from Xherdan Shaqiri. Their final group game was a 2–2 draw with Costa Rica. They finished second in the group. In the Round of 16, they lost 1–0 to Sweden and were knocked out.
In the first ever UEFA Nations League in 2018–19, Switzerland was in League A. They finished first in their group. They reached the finals in 2019, where they finished fourth.
At UEFA Euro 2020, which was played in 2021, Switzerland finished third in their group. They still made it to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. In the Round of 16, they faced World Cup champions France. They came back from being 3–1 down to draw 3–3! They then won on penalties, their first knockout win in a major tournament since 1938. In the quarter-finals, they played Spain. They drew 1–1 but lost on penalties, converting only one of their four attempts.
The Murat Yakin Era (2021–Present)
Murat Yakin became the manager in August 2021. Switzerland finished first in their World Cup qualifying group, even ahead of Italy! This earned them a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. At the World Cup, Switzerland finished second in their group. They lost 6–1 to Portugal in the Round of 16.
In 2023, Switzerland qualified for UEFA Euro 2024. They finished second in their qualifying group. The Euro 2024 tournament was a big success for Switzerland. They finished second in their group and moved to the Round of 16. There, they caused a big upset by beating defending champions Italy 2–0. This meant they reached the quarter-finals for the second time in their history!
Team Kit and Look
Kit Colors
The Switzerland national team usually wears red shirts, white shorts, and red socks for their home games. Their away kit is the opposite: white shirts, red shorts, and white socks. These colors come from the Swiss flag. Puma has been making their kits since 1998.
Kit Sponsors
Supplier | Period |
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1970–1975 |
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1976–1989 |
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1990–1992 |
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1993–1997 |
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1998–present |
Recent Matches (2024)
This section shows the results of matches played in the last 12 months and any upcoming games.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Results
Friendly 23 March | Denmark ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
20:00 UTC+1 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/23/world/friendlies/denmark/switzerland/4282717/ | Stadium: Parken Stadium Attendance: 30,731 Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands) |
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Friendly 26 March | Republic of Ireland ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Dublin, Ireland | ||
19:45 UTC±0 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/world/friendlies/ireland-republic/switzerland/4287518/ |
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Stadium: Aviva Stadium Referee: Paweł Raczkowski (Poland) |
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Friendly 4 June | Switzerland ![]() |
4–0 | ![]() |
Lucerne, Switzerland | ||
20:15 UTC+2 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/04/world/friendlies/switzerland/estonia/4321112/ | Stadium: Swissporarena Attendance: 14,473 Referee: Kyriakos Athanasiou (Cyprus) |
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Friendly 8 June | Switzerland ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
St. Gallen, Switzerland | ||
18:00 UTC+2 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/08/world/friendlies/switzerland/austria/4320164/ | Stadium: Kybunpark Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy) |
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UEFA Euro 2024 GS 15 June | Hungary ![]() |
1–3 | ![]() |
Cologne, Germany | ||
15:00 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036162/ |
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Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 41,676 Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) |
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UEFA Euro 2024 GS 19 June | Scotland ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Cologne, Germany | ||
21:00 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036174/ |
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Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion Attendance: 42,711 Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia) |
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UEFA Euro 2024 GS 23 June | Switzerland ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Frankfurt, Germany | ||
21:00 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036185/ | Stadium: Waldstadion Attendance: 46,685 Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy) |
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UEFA Euro 2024 R16 29 June | Switzerland ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Berlin, Germany | ||
18:00 UTC+2 |
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https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036198/ | Stadium: Olympiastadion Attendance: 68,172 Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) |
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UEFA Euro 2024 QF 6 July | England ![]() |
1–1 (5–3 pen)
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Düsseldorf, Germany | ||
18:00 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036208/ |
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Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena Attendance: 46,907 Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy) |
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Penalties | ||||||
*Palmer ![]()
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 5 September | Denmark ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
20:45 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040046/ | Stadium: Parken Stadium Attendance: 26,024 Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany) |
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 8 September | Switzerland ![]() |
1–4 | ![]() |
Geneva, Switzerland | ||
20:45 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040076/ |
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Stadium: Stade de Geneve Attendance: 26,265 Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 12 October | Serbia ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Leskovac, Serbia | ||
20:45 UTC+2 |
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https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040119/ | Stadium: Dubočica Stadium Attendance: 6,383 Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy) |
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 15 October | Switzerland ![]() |
2–2 | ![]() |
St. Gallen, Switzerland | ||
20:45 UTC+2 | https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040142/ |
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Stadium: Kybunpark Attendance: 16,182 Referee: Halil Umut Meler (Turkey) |
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 15 November | Switzerland ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Zürich, Switzerland | ||
20:45 UTC+1 | https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040162/ | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 21,115 Referee: Clément Turpin (France) |
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2024–25 UEFA Nations League 18 November | Spain ![]() |
3–2 | ![]() |
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain | ||
20:45 UTC+1 |
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https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040181/ |
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Stadium: Estadio Heliodoro Rodríguez López Attendance: 21,204 Referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany) |
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Team Staff
Coaching Staff
Position | Name |
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Head coach | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Fitness coach | ![]() |
Doctor | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Match analyst | ![]() |
Masseur | ![]() |
Nutritionist | ![]() |
Chef | ![]() |
Team coordinator | ![]() |
Players
Current Team Squad
The players listed below were chosen for the UEFA Nations League matches in November 2024. Some players had to withdraw due to injuries or illness, and others were called in to replace them.
- Caps (games played) and goals are updated as of November 18, 2024, after the match against
Spain.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Gregor Kobel | 6 December 1997 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Yvon Mvogo | 6 June 1994 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | GK | David von Ballmoos | 30 December 1994 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Kevin Mbabu | 19 April 1995 | 25 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Albian Hajdari | 18 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | DF | Ulisses Garcia | 11 January 1996 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Ricardo Rodriguez | 25 August 1992 | 125 | 9 | ![]() |
18 | DF | Eray Cömert | 4 February 1998 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | DF | Cédric Zesiger | 24 June 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
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4 | MF | Miro Muheim | 24 March 1998 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Simon Sohm | 11 April 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Remo Freuler | 15 April 1992 | 78 | 10 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Granit Xhaka (captain) | 27 September 1992 | 135 | 14 | ![]() |
11 | MF | Dereck Kutesa | 6 December 1997 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | MF | Filip Ugrinić | 5 January 1999 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | MF | Vincent Sierro | 8 October 1995 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | MF | Edimilson Fernandes | 15 April 1996 | 34 | 2 | ![]() |
22 | MF | Fabian Rieder | 16 February 2002 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
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9 | FW | Noah Okafor | 24 May 2000 | 24 | 2 | ![]() |
14 | FW | Andi Zeqiri | 22 June 1999 | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Joël Monteiro | 5 August 1999 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
23 | FW | Zeki Amdouni | 4 December 2000 | 25 | 10 | ![]() |
Players Called Up Recently
These players have also been called up to the team in the last year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Pascal Loretz | 1 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Philipp Köhn | 2 April 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Jonas Omlin | 10 January 1994 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Yann Sommer | 17 December 1988 | 94 | 0 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 RET |
GK | Marvin Keller | 3 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 PRE |
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DF | Aurèle Amenda | 31 July 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Manuel Akanji (vice-captain) | 19 July 1995 | 69 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Nico Elvedi | 30 September 1996 | 56 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Silvan Widmer | 5 March 1993 | 49 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Bećir Omeragić | 20 January 2002 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Gregory Wüthrich | 4 December 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Dominik Schmid | 10 March 1998 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Fabian Schär | 20 December 1991 | 86 | 8 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 RET |
DF | Leonidas Stergiou | 3 March 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 |
DF | Bryan Okoh | 16 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 PRE |
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MF | Ardon Jashari | 30 July 2002 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Denis Zakaria | 20 November 1996 | 57 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Michel Aebischer | 6 January 1997 | 29 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Christian Witzig | 9 January 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Uran Bislimi | 25 September 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Xherdan Shaqiri | 10 October 1991 | 125 | 32 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 RET |
MF | Steven Zuber | 17 August 1991 | 56 | 11 | ![]() |
UEFA Euro 2024 |
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FW | Breel Embolo | 14 February 1997 | 73 | 15 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Dan Ndoye | 25 October 2000 | 18 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Rubén Vargas | 5 August 1998 | 50 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Renato Steffen | 3 November 1991 | 41 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Kwadwo Duah | 24 February 1997 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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Player Records
- Players in bold are still playing for Switzerland.
Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Granit Xhaka | 135 | 14 | 2011–present |
2 | Xherdan Shaqiri | 125 | 32 | 2010–2024 |
Ricardo Rodriguez | 125 | 9 | 2011–present | |
4 | Heinz Hermann | 118 | 15 | 1978–1991 |
5 | Alain Geiger | 112 | 2 | 1980–1996 |
6 | Stephan Lichtsteiner | 108 | 8 | 2006–2019 |
7 | Stéphane Chapuisat | 103 | 21 | 1989–2004 |
8 | Yann Sommer | 94 | 0 | 2012–2024 |
Johann Vogel | 94 | 2 | 1995–2007 | |
10 | Haris Seferovic | 93 | 25 | 2013–present |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Alexander Frei | 42 | 84 | 0.5 | 2001–2011 |
2 | Kubilay Türkyilmaz | 34 | 64 | 0.53 | 1988–2001 |
Max Abegglen | 34 | 68 | 0.5 | 1922–1937 | |
4 | Xherdan Shaqiri | 32 | 125 | 0.26 | 2010–2024 |
5 | André Abegglen | 29 | 52 | 0.56 | 1927–1943 |
6 | Jacques Fatton | 28 | 53 | 0.53 | 1946–1955 |
7 | Adrian Knup | 26 | 49 | 0.53 | 1989–1996 |
8 | Haris Seferovic | 25 | 93 | 0.27 | 2013–present |
9 | Josef Hügi | 22 | 34 | 0.65 | 1951–1961 |
Charles Antenen | 22 | 56 | 0.39 | 1948–1962 |
Team Achievements
Switzerland's best results are reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup three times (1934, 1938, 1954). They also reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 and 2024. They won a silver medal at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Major Competitions
- Olympic Games
- Silver Medal (1): 1924
Friendly Tournaments
- Lunar New Year Cup
- Champions (1): 1993
Summary of Medals
Competition | ![]() |
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Total |
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FIFA World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Olympic Games | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
UEFA European Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
UEFA Nations League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
More About Swiss Football
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Suiza para niños
- List of Switzerland international footballers
- Switzerland national under-23 football team (Switzerland Olympic team)
- Switzerland national under-21 football team
- Switzerland national under-20 football team
- Switzerland national under-19 football team
- Switzerland national under-18 football team
- Switzerland national under-17 football team
- Switzerland national under-16 football team
- Swiss Footballer of the Year