Switzerland and Kosovo begin their quests to reach the 2026 World Cup when they face off in Basel on Friday evening, with both sides entering qualifying in encouraging form.

The Nati are targeting a seventh straight appearance on football’s biggest stage, having become regulars at both European Championships and World Cups over the past two decades. Their most recent competitive outing came last November, when a 3-2 defeat to Spain confirmed relegation from Nations League A. However, Murat Yakin’s men have since rebuilt confidence with an unbeaten run of four friendlies in 2025. After drawing with Northern Ireland, they overcame Luxembourg 3-1 before producing two emphatic wins in June, defeating Mexico 4-2 and the USA 4-0. With Sweden and Slovenia also in their group, Switzerland know a strong start against Kosovo will be crucial.

History suggests it may not be straightforward. All three previous meetings between the nations have ended level, including a 1-1 draw in November 2023. Switzerland will nevertheless look to Breel Embolo, who has struck in his last two internationals, while captain Granit Xhaka once again anchors the midfield. Manuel Akanji, fresh from sealing a move to Inter Milan, should marshal the back line alongside Nico Elvedi.

Kosovo, meanwhile, are chasing their first-ever World Cup qualification and arrive in Basel buoyed by six successive victories across two competitions. Franco Foda’s side sealed promotion to Nations League B with a playoff win over Iceland in March, before friendlies in June saw them rack up nine goals across triumphs over Armenia (5-2) and Comoros (4-2). The Dardanians have scored at least twice in seven of their last nine outings, with talisman Vedat Muriqi—already boasting 31 international goals—leading the line once more. Defensive absentees Florent Hadergjonaj and Edon Zhegrova weaken Foda’s options, but captain Amir Rrahmani provides vital experience at the back.

Despite their rise, Kosovo’s record in World Cup qualifying is worrying: just one victory from 18 games to date. Yet with momentum on their side and Switzerland historically struggling to put them away, they will fancy their chances of frustrating the favourites again.

瑞士队和科索沃队将于周五晚在巴塞尔开始角逐2026年世界杯决赛区，双方都以令人鼓舞的状态进入预选赛。

纳提队的目标是连续第七次出现在足球的最大舞台上，在过去的20年里，他们已经成为欧洲杯和世界杯的常客。他们最近的一次正式比赛是在去年11月，当时以3-2不敌西班牙，确定了从国甲联赛降级。然而，自那以后，穆拉特·亚金的球队在2025年的四场友谊赛中保持不败，重建了信心。在与北爱尔兰战平后，他们以3-1战胜卢森堡，并在6月以4-2和4-0分别击败墨西哥和美国，取得了两场大胜。由于瑞典和斯洛文尼亚也在他们的小组，瑞士队知道对科索沃的强势开局将至关重要。

历史表明，这可能并不简单。两国之前的三次交锋都以平局告终，包括2023年11月的1-1战平。尽管如此，瑞斯队还是将目光投向了在最近两场国际比赛中都有进球的布里尔·博罗，而队长格拉尼特·扎卡则再次稳住了中场。刚刚转会到国际米兰的阿坎吉应该和埃尔维迪一起组成后防线。

与此同时，科索沃正在争取他们的第一个世界杯资格，并在两项比赛中连续六场胜利的鼓舞下抵达巴塞尔。佛朗哥·福达的球队在3月份的附加赛中战胜冰岛队，晋级国家联赛B级。在6月份的友谊赛中，他们分别以5-2战胜亚美尼亚队和4-2战胜科摩罗队，打入9球。达达尔人在最近的9场比赛中有7场至少进了2球，而已经在国际比赛中打进31球的“护身符”穆里奇再次领跑锋线。后防线缺阵的哈德约纳伊和哲格罗瓦削弱了福达的选择，但队长阿米尔·拉赫马尼在后防线提供了重要的经验。

尽管崛起，科索沃在世界杯预选赛中的战绩令人担忧：迄今为止，18场比赛中仅取得一场胜利。然而，由于势头强劲，而且瑞士队历史上一直在努力将他们赶出决赛，他们将幻想自己有机会再次挫败夺冠热门。