Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has stated that the Swiss national team is ready to enjoy its most successful World Cup campaign in history.
Switzerland will face Qatar on Saturday, and Xhaka emphasized that the team is more motivated than ever to begin the tournament with a victory.
“In football, we always talk about tactics, but you also have to enjoy the moment. When you step onto the pitch, you need to feel free. We want to give our maximum for Switzerland and for our families. Tomorrow, we will take the first big step,” Xhaka said at a press conference.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who is participating in the fourth World Cup of his career, said that the Swiss players are fully prepared both physically and mentally.
“We can hardly wait to get started. We are ready physically and mentally. I believe this will be the best World Cup for us,” he added.
Switzerland is taking part in its sixth consecutive World Cup, an achievement matched in Europe only by major national teams such as France, Spain, England, Portugal, and Germany.
However, the Swiss have yet to make a deep run in the tournament, as they have been eliminated in the Round of 16 in five of their last six appearances. The last time Switzerland reached the quarter-finals was in 1954.
A victory over Qatar would move Switzerland to the top of Group B, after the other group match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada ended in a 1-1 draw.
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin also said he believes his team has learned from past mistakes. He pointed out that seventeen players from the current squad were part of the previous World Cup, where Switzerland was eliminated in the Round of 16 following a heavy 6-1 defeat to Portugal.
“Two-thirds of our players have experience in major tournaments. We have learned from the past and now, four years later, we are better prepared and more experienced,” Yakin stated.
Xhaka is expected to surpass the milestone of 150 appearances for the national team during this World Cup, while he and defender Ricardo Rodriguez could set a national record with thirteen World Cup matches played each.
