Switzerland

Switzerland, known as the Nati or Rossocrociati, are a consistent UEFA competitor who reached their highest FIFA ranking of 3rd in August 1993 and have twice reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship (2020, 2024). They have no major senior international titles but are regarded as one of Europe's more reliable tournament sides in the modern era.

Switzerland played their first international on 12 February 1905, losing 1–0 to France in Paris. They went on to host the 1954 World Cup, where they memorably lost 7–5 to Austria in what remains the highest-scoring match in World Cup history, and reached the quarter-finals on three separate occasions (1934, 1938, 1954).

A transformation under coach Roy Hodgson from 1992 elevated Switzerland to third in the FIFA world rankings by August 1993 — still the national team's peak position. That generation qualified for the 1994 World Cup and established Switzerland as a credible European force, a reputation sustained through subsequent qualifying cycles.

Under Murat Yakin, Switzerland have enjoyed their deepest European Championship runs in decades: defeating defending champions France on penalties in the Euro 2020 round of 16, and defeating Italy in the Euro 2024 round of 16 before falling in the quarter-finals. Captained by Granit Xhaka, the team enters the 2026 World Cup ranked 19th globally.