Switzerland are set for their 13th appearance at the FIFA World Cup next month. After going through the qualifiers unbeaten, La Nati comfortably booked their place at the showpiece and were drawn in Group B alongside Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada.
On paper, this seems like an easy group for the side who possess plenty of experience compared to all three rivals and should not only be able to progress into the knockout stages, but pull it off as group winners.
Head coach Murat Yakin has picked many experienced players for the tournament, signaling a real intent from him as Switzerland aim to break the last-16 curse and mount a deeper run at the World Cup.
Dortmund star to play a key role
Borussia Dortmund have a representation in the Switzerland squad as their preferred goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has unsurprisingly been called-up.
The 28-year-old oversaw a phenomenal individual campaign for the BVB, wherein he kept 15 clean sheets in the Bundesliga from 31 games, averaging almost one every two games.
For the record, it's the most by a goalkeeper in a single campaign for Dortmund as Kobel also won the best goalkeeper award, for his tally was unmatched by anyone else in the division.
Powered by his excellent reflexes and falcon-like vigilance, Kobel made a real statement as one of Europe's best goalkeepers today with consistently top-notch displays.
At this rate, he will no doubt be vital to Switzerland's fortunes at the north American showpiece next month. He's made only 20 appearances for the national team until now but his goalkeeping nous make him an unmissable prospect in the starting XI.
Kobel started in all six of Switzerland's World Cup qualifying fixtures, keeping four clean sheets - all coming in a row from the start while conceding only twice: one each against Sweden and Kosovo in their final two qualifiers.
Former Dortmund star also makes the cut
Gregor Kobel isn't the only player associated with Borussia Dortmund who is in the Swiss World Cup squad. Former defensive maestro Manuel Akanji has also been called up too.
The 30-year-old, currently on loan at Inter Milan from Manchester City, was on BVB's books for four years from 2018, making 158 appearances in all competitions.
Akanji was famously criticized for a series of errors during Dortmund's failed title bid in 2019-20 season, getting singled out as a 'weak link' in the side.
But the Swiss man held his ground and came back stronger next season, even playing a key role in BVB's German Cup triumph in 2021.
Manchester City priced him away in September 2022 for £15 million.
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