If there was one thing to celebrate behind the scenes these days, it should be this: Switzerland will be seeded in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, and that gives them at least some guarantees of avoid an obstacle course to reach the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The draw, which will take place on December 13, should spare them from facing the twelve best teams on the continent currently.
It must be said that as it stands, it's quite a relief, because we have the right to think that any opponent could create problems for the selection of Murat Yakin. And three days after being unable to beat Serbia in Zurich (1-1), she is in Tenerife this evening (8:45 p.m.) to try to catch Spain, in a match that counts for nothing.
Perhaps this context suits Switzerland better. Because taking a little perspective, the observation is frightening: in the last 17 official matches (excluding friendly matches) that it has played, the national team has only won three. Against Andorra, in qualifying for the Euro, and against Hungary and Italy last summer in Germany.
In fact, the situation is quite alarming and the more the matches progress, the more we must think that the Euro was a timeless moment, and that this Swiss team does not really know what its weapons are. Which is quite annoying when it comes to winning.
Relegation to League B of the Nations League appears to be a fair sanction. But above all as a real call to order: the qualifications for the World Cup will be much less tolerant of mistakes.
In Spain for a friendly match
In another context, challenging Spain would be a great challenge. But neither La Roja nor Switzerland have anything to gain or lose this evening, in this last Nations League meeting. It's nothing more than a friendly match. “There will be changes, but we have to find the right balance,” Giorgio Contini still said yesterday. Murat's assistant Yakin led the match-day training because the coach was ill with the flu. But Yakin will be able to hold his place this evening.
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