Switzerland vs Kosovo is set to kick off their Group B campaigns for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, 5 September 2025, with the match scheduled at 20:45 CET at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Switzerland, boasting a strong qualifying history and home advantage, is expected to enter the contest as favorites. In contrast, Kosovo brings a growing confidence driven by their recent remarkable form.
In recent weeks, Switzerland has delivered emphatic performances, including a commanding 4–0 win over the United States, reinforcing their readiness for this important qualifier.
Meanwhile, Kosovo have also hit a rich vein of form, with impressive wins against Armenia (5–2) and Comoros (4–2). Despite Switzerland’s superior FIFA ranking, previous encounters have been hard-fought—all three previous matches between the two ended in draws, highlighting the potential for this match to unfold into another tight battle.
Switzerland vs Kosovo FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying Match, team news, H2H, lineups, and prediction
Switzerland welcome Kosovo to the Stade de Genève in a pivotal Group E opener on September 8, 2025. The Swiss, boasting consistent World Cup appearances and a blend of seasoned stars and emerging talents, aim to build on their strong Nations League form. Kosovo, one of UEFA’s newest members, seek to continue their impressive rise by securing an upset against a traditional powerhouse.
- Teams – Switzerland vs Kosovo
- Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
- Time: 19:00 CEST (17:00 UTC)
- Venue: Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
- Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification – UEFA Group E
Recent Form
Switzerland heads into the qualifying campaign in excellent form, with impressive wins in friendlies and a strong showing in Malta to build momentum for the upcoming matches. Transfermarkt highlights their tactical efficiency, striking a balance between solid defense and creative attacking play—keeping up their strong performances in both qualifying and friendly games.
Kosovo has been on fire in 2025, winning all four of their international matches and displaying impressive offensive strength and growing confidence. In the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, they earned promotion to League B by defeating Iceland on aggregate. According to FootyStats, Kosovo showed a strong performance in the World Cup Qualification Europe, recording 8 wins, 0 draws, and 2 losses in 10 games, with 24 goals scored and 13 conceded.
Switzerland – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 9, 2025 | Austria | W 2-1 | WC Qual |
| Jun 6, 2025 | Republic of Ireland | D 1-1 | WC Qual |
| Mar 23, 2025 | Netherlands | L 0-2 | Nations League |
| Mar 20, 2025 | Belgium | W 3-2 | Nations League |
| Nov 17, 2024 | Portugal | D 2-2 | Nations League |
Kosovo – Last 5 Matches
| Date | Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2025 | North Macedonia | W 2-0 | Friendly |
| Mar 25, 2025 | Slovenia | D 1-1 | Nations League |
| Mar 22, 2025 | Bulgaria | W 1-0 | Nations League |
| Nov 18, 2024 | Cyprus | L 0-2 | Nations League |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Malta | W 3-1 | Nations League |
Head to Head
Switzerland and Kosovo have met only once before, with the Swiss claiming a narrow 1-0 victory in their sole competitive encounter.
| Matches Played | Switzerland Wins | Kosovo Wins | Draws | Goals For Switzerland | Goals For Kosovo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Team News
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin will likely field a star-studded lineup featuring captain Granit Xhaka in midfield and veteran striker Haris Seferović leading the attack. Defender Manuel Akanji remains sidelined with a minor muscle strain, but the rest of the squad is available.
Kosovo, under coach Dino Šarac, will be without playmaker Milot Rashica due to suspension. Young forward Vedat Muriqi, Kosovo’s all-time top scorer, spearheads the attack. Goalkeeper Mërgim Vojvoda returns after injury to bolster the defense.
Current Possible Starting Lineup
Switzerland is thriving with impressive friendly match results, showcasing solid tactical cohesion under their current setup. Their performances emphasize both defensive stability and attacking precision. Meanwhile, Kosovo is on fire with seven or more consecutive victories, UEFA Nations League promotion success, and a remarkable goal-scoring record in competitive games.
Both teams come into the qualifier riding high on momentum, setting up a thrilling September clash that promises to showcase their form and ambition.
Switzerland Prediction XI
Sommer; Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Mbabu, Xhaka, Freuler, Shaqiri; Zuber, Embolo; Seferović
Kosovo Prediction XI
Vojvoda; Ahmeti, Halili, Bukoshi, Rrahmani; Berisha, Krasniqi; Muriqi, Kamberi, Demaku; Zhegrova
Match Prediction
Switzerland’s home advantage and superior squad depth make it favorites. Expect a tight first half, but the Swiss should prevail through a moment of quality from their creative midfielders.
- Predicted score: Switzerland 2-0 Kosovo
How to Watch Switzerland vs Kosovo FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying Match
The TV broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers matches are shared among multiple media houses.
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event
- United States: FOX Sports 1
- Europe: UEFA.tv (selected regions)
- Switzerland: SRF zwei