Switzerland – Participating Teams in the Euro Football 2024 Tournament

Switzerland are one of the competing nations in the 2024 European Championship finals this summer. The Swiss have shown a big improvement on the pitch in recent times and are looking to go far on German soil. 

We explore Switzerland’s journey to the 2024 Euro Cup, check out their current set of players, and analyse their expected performances in Germany. Join us as we take a closer look at the Swiss national team and assess their chances of going far this summer.  

The Swiss Football Team in the Euro Football Tournament

The 2024 edition will be Switzerland’s sixth appearance in the European Championships. After qualifying for their first in 1996, Switzerland have only failed to reach the finals on two occasions. 

On English turf in 1996, the Swiss were eliminated in the group stage after taking just one point from a possible nine. They also failed to reach the knockout phase in 2004 and 2008. 

However, in France in 2016, Nati made it to the last 16. They were unbeaten in Group A, winning one and drawing two. They beat the Albanians on matchday one before drawing with the Romanians and French to go through in second place. 

They took on Poland in Saint-Etienne in the Round of 16. After a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, the tie went to penalties. Unfortunately for the Swiss, the Poles held their nerve in the shootout to secure a 5-4 win and break Switzerland’s hearts. 

The nation improved on that impressive showing in the next Euro tournament. At the 2020 European Championship, which was played in 2021, the Swiss managed to squeeze into the last eight. 

The pan-European tournament was their best Euro appearance to date. Managed by Vladimir Petkovic, Switzerland finished third behind Italy and Wales in Group A. They went through to the knockout phase as one of the best third-place teams. 

They drew with Wales in game one, with the Welsh equalising 15 minutes from time. On matchday two, the Swiss were swept aside by Italy, losing 3-0 in Rome. However, they booked their place in the Round of 16 with a vital 3-1 victory over Turkey in Baku. 

Switzerland pulled off one of the shock results of the tournament in their last-16 tie with the French. After a thrilling 3-3 draw in Bucharest, the Swiss secured a spot in the quarter-finals with a 5-4 penalty shootout win. However, they lost to Spain on penalties in the last eight. 

Murat Yakin’s troops qualified for the 2024 Euro Cup after finishing in the top two of Group I. This summer’s tournament on German soil will be the nation’s sixth European Championship appearance. 

Switzerland were seeded into Pot 4 with Italy, Serbia, and the three play-off winners. They were drawn into Group A, where they will take on Germany, Hungary, and Scotland. 

First up, Yakin’s side head to the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne to take on the Hungarians. The Swiss will be looking for all three points, but Hungary have been in good form and will not be an easy nut to crack. 

On matchday two, Switzerland stay in Cologne to play Steve Clarke’s Scotland. Like Hungary, the Scots had an impressive qualifying campaign and could be tough to beat. Nevertheless, the Swiss will fancy their chances of picking up two positive results. 

Their toughest Group A test on paper will be their final game on June 23rd. Switzerland will go head-to-head with the tournament hosts at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt. Yakin’s men are hoping to cause an upset against the Germans, who are one of the favourites to lift the trophy. 

The top two from each group will automatically qualify for the Round of 16. However, third place could still be enough. In the 2020 edition, the Swiss went through to the knockout phase after finishing third in their group. Will history repeat itself this summer? 

Switzerland’s Road to the European Championship 2024

Switzerland’s place in the 2024 European Championship finals was confirmed on November 18th, as they finished runners-up in Group I. During qualification, the Swiss squared off against Romania, Israel, Belarus, Kosovo, and Andorra. Before a ball was kicked, Switzerland were heavily fancied to finish in the top two and secure qualification. 

Switzerland’s road to the European Championship started with an emphatic away win against Belarus in March. They were far too hot to handle for the Belarusians, easing to a 5-0 victory. Renato Steffen netted a treble in Novi Sad. 

Switzerland then made it six points from a possible six with another routine win. This time, goals from Ruben Vargas, Zeki Amdouni, and Silvan Widmer sealed a 3-0 triumph over Israel at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva.  

Switzerland picked up another three points in game three, though they were disappointing in Andorra. First-half goals from Remo Freuler and Amdouni were enough for a 2-1 win at the Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella. 

The Swiss’ 100% record came to an end in their next game. They were cruising to three points thanks to two first-half Amdouni goals. However, the Romanians netted two late goals to grab a draw in Lucerne. 

Switzerland then drew 2-2 again on matchday five. Once again, a last-gasp goal cost the Swiss two points. They were 2-1 up deep into second-half injury time, but a 94th-minute Vedat Muriqi goal gave the Kosovans a share of the spoils in Pristina. 

Switzerland got back to winning ways in style three days later, seeing off Andorra by three goals to nil in Sion. Cedric Itten, Granit Xhaka, and Xherdan Shaqiri scored in the easy home win.

Switzerland then had back-to-back Group I draws. They conceded late to draw 1-1 with the Israelis in Felcsut and drew 1-1 with Kosovo in Basel a few days later. However, the stalemate with the Kosovans was enough to book their place in the 2024 Euro Cup. 

On the final day of qualifying in Group I, Switzerland went toe-to-toe with Romania for the top spot in the group. The Swiss started the day two points behind the Romanians in second place. 

In front of 50,000 fans at the Arena Nacional in Bucharest, Romania held their nerve to secure a narrow win and take first place. Denis Alibec netted the only goal of the game for the home team in the 50th minute. 

Despite missing out on the top spot, it was a successful qualifying campaign for the Swiss. Nati picked up four wins, drew five games, and suffered just one defeat in ten qualifiers. They collected 17 points and scored an impressive 22 goals. 

Switzerland’s Star Players in the Team

Switzerland have several star players glittered throughout their squad. Many of their players ply their trade in the top leagues of European football, and they have dangerous men all over the pitch. 

Starting in goal, Yann Sommer remains Switzerland’s main man. The 35-year-old has been a fully-fledged international since 2012 and is closing in on 100 appearances for his national side. After leaving Bayern Munich in 2023, Sommer now plays his football for Inter Milan in Serie A. 

There are several familiar faces in Switzerland’s team. In defence, Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar and Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji will play important roles this summer. Burnley’s Zeki Amdouni is another Premier League representative. 

Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are still going strong for the Swiss. Xhaka plays for Bayer Leverkusen after leaving Arsenal, while Shaqiri plays his football in America for Chicago Fire. 

Switzerland also have many top players in the attacking areas. Alongside Amdouni up top, the likes of Andi Zeqiri, Noah Okafor, and Dan Ndoye will be looking to get the goals in Germany. 

As for Switzerland’s star man, that accolade must go to Man City ace Akanji. Since joining the Manchester club, the defender has helped his team win the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Akanji will turn 29 just after the Euro finals, and the defender is in the prime years of his life. 

Switzerland’s Chances of Winning the 2024 European Championship

With a strong squad and a capable manager, Switzerland will fancy their chances of going far this summer. They have performed well in the last two European Championships, reaching the knockout stages in both. 

Getting out of the group stage at the 2024 European Championships will be no easy feat. However, by the time they face Germany on June 23rd, the Swiss could already be safely through to the last 16. 

Switzerland are certainly one of the dark horses in the 2024 edition. However, after beating France and taking Spain to penalties in the last Euro Championship, Nati could surprise a few again. 

They have the perfect blend of youth and experience in the team, and Yakin’s side are looking to go far on German turf. Can they go even further this time around? You can take advantage of top odds and bet on the Swiss national team right here with us at Unibet.