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Shaqiri's Swiss Reign Ends: World Cup Without Icon
13 Jun
Summary
- Xherdan Shaqiri retired from international football in 2024.
- He played in four World Cups for Switzerland from 2010 to 2022.
- Switzerland begins its 2026 World Cup campaign without him.
Switzerland is set to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Saturday, facing Qatar in their opening match. However, a notable absence from the squad is veteran midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri.
Shaqiri, who retired from international football in 2024, is no longer part of the Swiss national team setup. The 34-year-old midfielder continues his club career with Basel in the Swiss Super League. His international career concluded with 125 caps and 32 goals for Switzerland.
Born in Kosovo, Shaqiri began representing Switzerland after his family moved there when he was a child. His club career has been extensive, including stints at Basel, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Liverpool, and Lyon. Shaqiri participated in the World Cup in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Despite his departure, Switzerland is expected to advance from their group, which also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
