World Cup 2022 Group G Team Guides: Switzerland
It has been 20 years since Brazil last won the World Cup. As the No. 1-ranked team in the world, it is certainly a favorite to win it all in Qatar. Four years ago, Seleção relied too much on Neymar and lost to Belgium in the quarterfinal, but with a deep roster of stars who play in the world's top leagues, Tite's team is expected to make it out of the group unscathed.
However, you can't overlook competitive European sides in Switzerland, which Brazil tied in the 2018 group stage, and Serbia, which beat Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal during qualifying. Cameroon is also an experienced group and battle-tested following a playoff win over Algeria.
Here's a look at all four teams in Group G:
Everything you need to know about Switzerland:
Coach: Murat Yakin
Highest finish: Quarterfinals (1934, 1938, 1954)
2018 finish: Round of 16
FOX Bet odds: +8000
Key players: Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Yann Sommer
What we're excited to watch: The 2018 World Cup group stage rematch between Switzerland and Serbia on Dec. 2. Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, who scored the game-winner in the 90th minute of that game, made headlines for celebrating their goals with an Albanian nationalist symbol. Both players, who are also team captains, are of Albanian-Kosovan heritage, and Kosovo is not recognized by Serbia.
What success looks like: Getting out of the group
Achilles' heel: Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who famously saved a penalty kick by France's Kylian Mbappe during the 2020 Euros and set a Bundesliga record with 19 stops in one match, recently injured his ankle. He's a key veteran player for the Swiss, and they'll need him healthy in Qatar.
X-Factor: Switzerland should feel good about its chances to advance out of the group as long as Chicago Fire winger Shaqiri is in top form.
Three things you need to know about Switzerland
Full roster
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yann Sommer, Jonas Omlin, Philipp Kohn
Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Fabian Schar, Silvan Widmer, Ricardo Rodriguez, Edimilson Fernandes
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Xherdan Shaqiri, Renato Steffen, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria, Fabian Frei, Remo Freuler, Noah Okafor, Fabian Rieder, Ardon Jashari
Forwards: Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas, Djibril Sow, Haris Seferovic, Christian Fassnacht
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on Twitter @LakenLitman.
