Switzerland have included forward Zeki Amdouni in their World Cup squad despite his limited playing time this season following a serious knee injury.
Amdouni, who suffered an ACL rupture last July, has played less than an hour of club football this season. His recent appearance for Burnley as a late substitute at Arsenal on Monday marked only his third outing off the bench since returning from injury.
However, his strong international record of 11 goals in 27 matches helped secure his place in coach Murat Yakin’s 26-man squad, which is expected to be among the favourites in a group featuring co-host Canada, 2022 host Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The squad announcement was made over two days through a social media campaign, with fans tasked with identifying players hidden in photos of Swiss residents at their workplaces.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka will captain the side at his fourth consecutive World Cup, extending his national record to 144 appearances.
Yakin also made some surprise selections in attack, including Christian Fassnacht and Cedric Itten, both of whom have had limited minutes for Switzerland since 2023. Fassnacht, however, is the top scorer in the domestic league with 18 goals this season.
Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller is the only other domestic league player in the squad, while Swiss champions Thun were not represented.
Defender Manuel Akanji, who recently won the Serie A title with Inter Milan, is also included. Young prospect Johan Manzambi, who will feature for Freiburg in the Europa League final against Aston Villa, has also been named after impressing at international level with goals against Mexico and the United States last year.
Switzerland squad
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer, Miro Muheim, Aurèle Amenda, Eray Cömert, Luca Jaquez
Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Johan Manzambi, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, Ardon Jashari, Djibril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Michel Aebischer, Fabian Rieder, Rubén Vargas
Forwards: Breel Embolo, Noah Okafor, Dan Ndoye, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten