5 days to go: Team Switzerland Loop Barbados

Black Immigrant Daily News

A handful of days remain until the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Al Khor, Qatar.

Host nation Qatar will face Group A opponents Ecuador after the highly anticipated opening ceremony, which is usually one of the greatest entertainment spectacles in world sports and each of the 60,000 seats are expected to be filled.

Switzerland is arriving at their fifth successive World Cup, and they have done so in quite some style as they won their qualification group which included European champions Italy, scoring fifteen goals and allowing just two in eight matches.

The Swiss are known for their very stingy defending and this characteristic will need to be ever-present and consistent if they are to advance from the group and surpass the Round of 16 for the first time since 1954.

Country: Switzerland

Capital: Bern

Population: 8.6 million

Confederation: UEFA (Europe)

Group: G

Professional League: Swiss Super League

World Cup appearances: 12 (2022)

Qualification status: UEFA Group C winners

Key players: Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), Manuel Akanji (Manchester City, England), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire, USA), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal, England), Denis Zakaria (Chelsea, England), Haris Seferovic (Galatassaray, Turkey)

Coach: Marrat Yakin (Swiss)

Group mates: Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia

Predictions: Considering history, the Swiss should advance from the group stage, but they will face tough competition for that runners-up spot.

I expect Switzerland to progress to the Round of 16.

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