SWITZERLAND
Appearances: 10 Best finish: Quarter-finals in 1934, 1938, 1954 Manager: Vladimir Petkovic Star player: Granit Xhaka
Switzerland’s best performance so far has been the three quarter-final appearances in the ten times they’ve made it to the Fifa World Cup. Their debut in 1934 started with a last eight stage entry followed by a second time four years later. After that, there was a lull as the country of a mere eight million inhabitants competed but never progressed past the group stages until their third and last success in 1954.
However, this time there are at least a handful reasons to believe that Switzerland can replicate their quarter-final success of the past.
It’s true that Switzerland earned their trip to Russia with an aggregate 1-0 win against Northern Ireland via the play-offs. But their actual qualifying campaign was near flawless, including a stunning 2-0 win over European champions Portugal. Then followed eight successive wins and everything looked bright for an 11th showing in the global competition until a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal defeated them in their last qualifier and forced them into the playo f f s on an inferior goal difference.
Secondly, Switzerland have never shied away from strong opponents. History books indicate that the Swiss relish strong rivalry. In 2006, Switzerland held eventual runners-up France to a goalless draw in the group stage, and four years later in South Africa they went on to stun eventual champions Spain by a solitary goal. This time, La Nati [meaning the national team] can attempt another shock as they take on former five-time champions Brazil in their first match in Rostov on June 17.
Another aspect of the current squad is coach Vladimir Petkovic’s insistence on a more attacking, possession-based style and the results are being seen with Switzerland opting on compact and disciplined performances. During the 2014 tournament in Rio they went down to an extratime goal from Argentina to bow out in their Round of 16 encounter. At one point Switzerland had climbed into fourth in the Fifa World Ranking. And Russia will be their fourth successive trip to a World Cup. In the recent past they have lost to top teams very narrowly, bringing about a newfound self-belief among the players that they are in a position to match even the best. Russia 2018 will be no exception either.
In 2006, the Swiss held eventual runners-up France to a draw in the group stage, and four years later they went on to stun eventual champions Spain by a solitary goal.