will the Nati be seeded?

This question deserves to be asked in view of the recent results of the selection and as the qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup approaches.

Three games, three losses. The Nati could not dream of a worse start to this 2024/2025 Nations League and saw the first two places in Group 4 slip away on Saturday in Serbia. Reaching the quarter-finals of the competition is mathematically still possible. However, it would take a combination of circumstances for the Swiss team to qualify. Only victories in the return phase and surprises, notably coming from Serbia.

If fighting for maintenance rather than for the title may seem insignificant, in an almost friendly competition, It is important to note that the eight quarter-finalists of the Nations League will automatically be included in pot 1 of the next drawthe one which will determine the qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup at the end of the year, according to a FIFA note sent to UEFA member federations last September.

The Nati will therefore probably not be part of these eight teams. There will then be a few places left to grab in the first pot, and the allocation will be based on the FIFA ranking. The four best-positioned nations not qualified for the quarter-finals of the Nations League will also benefit from seeded status.

However, two places are already reserved. There is one for England, the third best European team. The Three Lions play in League B and cannot qualify for the final phase of the Nations League. The second will go to France, Belgium or Italy. One of these three teams will not come out of group 2 and will validate their qualification via the FIFA ranking, the Blues, the Red Devils and the Azzurri all appearing in the world Top 10.

There are therefore two places available in pot 1 and Switzerland – 15th in the FIFA rankings – can hope to grab one. However, it will have to count on favorable results in the other groups of the League of Nations.

Undisputed leader of Pool 1, Portugal will certainly validate its place in Pot 1 via qualification in the quarter-finals. Second-placed Croatia can do the same. But it will be in the fight with Poland until the end. And if Lewandowski’s gang were to overtake them, the checkered team – better ranked than Switzerland in the FIFA rankings – would have priority over the Nati.

The situation is similar in group 3. Germany now seems in a favorable position. She should play in the quarter-finals of the Nations League. The second-placed Netherlands also has an advantage. However, they remain under threat from Hungary. The Dutch failed to beat her on Friday. They even lost ten minutes from the final whistle.

Finally, regarding group 4, that of Granit Xhaka and his teammates, Spain, first, is one step ahead of its rivals. Denmark too. However, Serbia has not said its last word. If she grabs one of the top two spots, she will complicate the situation even more. La Roja is well ahead of Nati and Denmark – 20th in the FIFA rankings – is getting dangerously close. It is not certain that he will still be behind in three matches, if Murat Yakin’s men, within gunshot, continue like this.

The Swiss football team would be seeded in the draw for the World Cup qualifiers if the League of Nations stopped today. However, two adjustments in the League A groups within the next three days and the Nati would be sent back to pot 2. That would be problematic. That would mean pulling a big one, when only the first of the group will see the United States, Canada and Mexico. The second will go through unsustainable roadblocks. It will play a semi-final then a final to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Only four teams out of 16 will make it through, hence the importance of finishing first, and therefore being seeded in the draw. comes out next December.