Switzerland’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign kicks off on Saturday, June 13 when the country faces Qatar at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in San Francisco.
Swiss captain Granit Xhaka and full-back Ricardo Rodriguez have both been named in Switzerland’s starting XI. In their appearance, both will make a record 13th international tournament appearance for their country.
Xhaka made his first World Cup appearance for Switzerland at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and has appeared in every tournament since. He currently plays his club football for Premier League side Sunderland.
Rodriguez – who plays for Real Betis – has appeared in every tournament alongside Xhaka.
Both Xhaka and Rodriguez made their senior debuts in 2011, with the former becoming the most capped player in the country with 147 appearances, while Rodriguez has 138.
Published on June 14, 2026
