Nation: Switzerland
FIFA ranking: 15th
World Cup achievements: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)

Sky Sports' Peter Smith:

Commendable draws home and away against European Champions Italy set the foundations for Switzerland to impressively qualify for Qatar automatically as Group C winners.

Murat Yakin’s side sealed their spot at the end of their unbeaten campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Bulgaria to capitalise on the Azzurri’s stalemate in Northern Ireland - and Yakin sent a load of Swiss chocolate to the Northern Ireland team as a thank you for the part they played in his team's progress.

His side will now be aiming to build on an encouraging Euros, which saw Switzerland beat World Cup holders France in the last 16 – their first win in a major tournament knockout tie since 1938 – before taking Spain to penalties in the quarter-finals.

There will surely be sweet treats in store for the Swiss players if they can do that in Qatar.

Group G

Fixtures & results

Most recent squad

Route to final

Insight

Switzerland caused an upset at the Euros, knocking out world champions France, and almost did the same to Spain, and they've picked up some notable scalps since. There was victory over Portugal in June and finally a win over Spain in September, followed by a somewhat fortuitous success over Czech Republic to maintain their top-flight status in the Nations League.

A worrying run of four defeats in five games - and a draw at home to Kosovo - earlier in 2022 has been put to bed and, settled in their 4-2-3-1, Switzerland look to have an encouraging blend through the pitch.

Centre-back options Manuel Akanji, Fabian Schar and Nico Elvedi are solid, Ricardo Rodriguez - fresh from winning his 100th cap - is among several experienced figures, Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler combine well in midfield and an attack, led by Breel Embolo, offers genuine threat.

Brazil will be favourites for Group G but the Swiss should be confident of pipping Serbia and Cameroon to the second qualifying spot.

Player to watch

Name: Granit Xhaka
Position: Midfield
Club: Arsenal
Age: 30

Rejuvenated Arsenal midfielder Xhaka captains his country and with over 104 caps is an essential figure at the heart of the team.

In Breel Embolo, Haris Seferovic and Xherdan Shaqiri Switzerland have a range of attacking threats but if Xhaka can replicate his form for Arsenal on the biggest stage then they could be in business.

It wasn't long ago the 30-year-old looked to be on his way out of Arsenal but Mikel Arteta has coached him back to his best level and handed him a role he's relished, bursting forward from central midfield to join in with attacks and get involved in the opposition penalty area.

Typically, there have already been a couple of yellow cards waved in his direction this season but if Xhaka can keep his composure in the high pressure arenas of a World Cup then he has the opportunity to drive Switzerland into another major tournament knockout phase.

Where will Switzerland stay?

Le Royal Méridien Doha

Qatar stadiums

Qualification in pictures