Preview:Switzerland vs Kosovo - prediction, team news, lineups

Switzerland and Kosovo will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns when they lock horns in Basel on Friday.

The hosts are bidding to reach a seventh consecutive World Cup, while Kosovo are aiming to qualify for the finals for the first time.

Match preview

Switzerland have not played a competitive international since they lost 3-2 to Spain in their final Nations League match in November 2024.

The Nati suffered relegation from League A after finishing bottom of their group with just two points to their name.

However, they have managed to put together a four-game unbeaten run in 2025, beginning their run of friendlies with a draw against Northern Ireland, before picking up a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg.

Murat Yakin’s side then produced a couple of free-scoring displays in June’s fixtures against two of next year’s three World Cup hosts.

Switzerland claimed a 4-2 victory over Mexico, before they eased to a 4-0 win against the USA to build useful momentum ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign, which will see them compete in a group with Kosovo, Sweden and Slovenia.

The Nati have played out draws in each of their three previous meetings with Kosovo, including a 1-1 scoreline when the two nations last faced off in November 2023.

Kosovo are hoping that it is third time lucky after failing in their first two bids to qualify for the World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022.

Franco Foda's side should enter the qualifying campaign in high spirits, having won each of their four internationals in the current calendar year.

In March, Kosovo won home and away in their Nations League playoff against Iceland to secure promotion to League B.

They then enjoyed success in their two friendly outings in June, showcasing their firepower to claim a 5-2 victory over Armenia and a 4-2 win against Comoros.

Kosovo have scored at least two goals in seven of their previous nine matches, so they should fancy their chances of troubling the Swiss backline on Friday.

However, they will be aware that picking up a win will be a difficult feat, considering that they have won just one of their previous 18 matches in World Cup qualifying (D3, L14).

Switzerland form (all competitions):

D L D W W W

Kosovo form (all competitions):

L W W W W W

Team News

Manuel Akanji started the week by completing his loan move to Inter Milan from Manchester City, and he is now likely to feature in the centre of Switzerland’s backline with Nico Elvedi.

Sunderland summer signing Granit Xhaka will don the captain’s armband, with Switzerland’s all-time record appearance holder set to earn his 138th cap.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Breel Embolo will be looking to score in a third consecutive international match when he leads the line for Switzerland.

As for Kosovo, defender Florent Hadergjonaj and midfielder Edon Zhegrova had both pulled out of Foda's initial squad.

The Kosovo boss could decide to select a back four made up of Mergim Vojvoda, Amir Rrahmani, Lumbardh Dellova and Leart Paqarada.

Meanwhile, Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi will be aiming to add to his 31-goal international tally when he spearheads the attack on Friday.

Switzerland possible starting lineup:

Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Sierro; Ndoye, Vargas, Embolo

Kosovo possible starting lineup:

Muric; Vojvoda, Am. Rrahmani, Dellova, Paqarada; Rexhbecaj, Berisha; E. Krasniqi, Rashica, Muslija; Muriqi

We say: Switzerland 1-1 Kosovo

Switzerland may be placed 76 places higher than Kosovo in the FIFA world rankings, but they have seen each of their previous three head-to-head meetings, and with that in mind, we think that the visitors will do enough to hold their hosts to another draw in Friday's contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.