Tonight is going to be exciting, for Switzerland too. In the European World Cup play-offs, four teams are competing for the final spot in Group B, where the national team has already been drawn with Canada and Qatar. Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will play their semi-finals today, with the final following on 31 March. The winner will face Switzerland on 18 June.
The four candidates
Italy are the big name. The four-time world champions have missed the last two World Cups, a trauma for a country so closely linked to football. A third missed World Cup in a row would be unthinkable. The pressure is correspondingly high. For Switzerland, a duel with Italy would be particularly appealing, as the national team won 2-0 against the Italians at Euro 2024.
Wales played at the 2022 World Cup and have shown in recent years that they can keep up with big teams on good days. The Welsh are fiercely competitive and dangerous at set pieces.
Northern Ireland are considered underdogs, but they are a team that can frustrate favourites with fighting spirit and organisation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina have an exciting generation with technically gifted players. The Bosnians were at the 2014 World Cup and want to return to the big stage after twelve years.
What does this mean for the national team?
Whoever wins, the second group match will be a key game. After the opener against Qatar and before the final group match against co-hosts Canada, this game could decide first or second place. Against Italy, it would be a duel on equal terms with great tradition; against any of the other teams, Switzerland would likely be slightly favoured.
Play-offs: nerve-racking knockout matches
Play-off matches have their own rules. There is no second leg, no second chance. A single mistake or a single moment of genius can decide everything. Often, the most important goals in such games come from set pieces, rebounds or first-time finishes. Whoever stays calm in these moments and can execute their technique carries their team forward.
The national team's preparation
For Switzerland, friendly matches are on the agenda during this international break. Coach Murat Yakin is taking the opportunity to try out different variations and refine the squad for the summer. The players still have a few weeks to make their case at their clubs before the World Cup squad is announced.
Your countdown to the World Cup
About eleven weeks left until the national team's first World Cup match. Time enough to work on your own form. The grass season is beginning, the days are getting longer, and training outside is fun again. A small goal for the coming weeks: test yourself now on how many out of ten volleys you can put on goal, and repeat the test shortly before the start of the World Cup.
With the VOLLEYCHAMP®, you can carry out this test under consistent conditions and measure your progress. This way, you can get into shape while the national team prepares for their big tournament.
Our tip for this evening
Watch the play-off matches and pay attention to how the goals are scored. You will see: in tight matches, a single clean strike often decides the outcome. Perhaps a goal will inspire you for your next training session.
In six days, we will know more. Hopp Schwiiz!
