Switzerland’s World Cup preparations have been thrown into chaos after star striker Breel Embolo was sensationally blocked from travelling to the United States. The Rennes forward was forced to remain behind while the rest of Murat Yakin’s squad jetted off to their training base in San Diego.
FIFA has confirmed the key dates and squad regulations for the 2026 World Cup. Nations must submit their final player lists by June 1, with strict rules in place regarding injuries, replacements and goalkeeper selections.
Dan Ndoye continues to star for Switzerland, in World Cup year, but Nottingham Forest are yet to see the best of a winger that they invested £34 million ($46m) worth of faith in during the summer of 2025. A hasty departure from the Premier League has been mooted, but Philippe Senderos has explained to GOAL why his fellow countryman can still be a success in England.
Sebastian Soria is on the verge of making World Cup history as the Qatar veteran has been named in Julen Lopetegui's preliminary squad for the 2026 tournament. At 42 years old, the forward is poised to eclipse the long-standing record held by Cameroon icon Roger Milla as the oldest outfield player to ever grace the competition, opening the door for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Florian Wirtz is finally finding his rhythm at Liverpool after an initial period of adjustment following his high-profile move from the Bundesliga. The Germany international’s father, Hans, has revealed the physical sacrifices his son has made to conquer the unique demands of English football.
There really is nothing like the World Cup. Even just qualifying generates a level of nationwide excitement that the club game simply cannot match, which is why we witnessed truly joyous scenes all across the globe during the March international break, as the final six qualifiers were confirmed for this summer's festival of football in North America.
Florian Wirtz has openly discussed the emotional toll of his challenging start at Liverpool. The talented German playmaker admitted that adapting to the Premier League took a significant physical and emotional toll. However, crucial support from national team coach Julian Nagelsmann helped him overcome these hurdles, leading to a recent return to peak form for his country.
Florian Wirtz produced a virtuoso performance to guide Germany to a dramatic 4-3 victory over Switzerland. The Liverpool playmaker was involved in every decisive moment, scoring twice and providing two assists in a back-and-forth international friendly.
In place of the in-form Deniz Undav, Nick Woltemade was given another chance to prove himself against Switzerland. For the national coach, it was a decision based on intuition and psychology.
The penultimate friendly before the final World Cup squad announcement: Germany face Switzerland on Friday. We reveal the line-up that national coach Julian Nagelsmann is relying on – he has already revealed most of the positions himself.
Canada got the rub of the green as preparations for the 2026 World Cup kicked into full gear. Les Rouges will face Switzerland, Qatar and the winner of a European playoff to open the tournament next summer. On paper, it’s a winnable group - but if the playoff unfolds as expected, Jesse Marsch’s team could be staring down global giants Italy in the early stages.