Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland captain currently playing for Sunderland, has declared his belief that Switzerland are capable of making a serious impression at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — though he is keeping his loftiest ambitions close to his chest.

Switzerland have been placed in a group alongside co-hosts Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar, a draw widely regarded as favourable. For Xhaka, however, the first priority is straightforward: advance from the group stage safely.

"A must for Switzerland, and for us as a team," the former Arsenal midfielder told FIFA.com when asked about the minimum expectation.

When pressed on his personal dream for the tournament, Xhaka was characteristically candid — and deliberately coy. "I love to dream, and I dream big. I'm not going to say the word that's on my mind right now. But you can dream, you're allowed to — and it does you good," he said.

A record-setting servant

The 2026 edition will be Xhaka's fourth World Cup, having previously represented Switzerland at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022. He has now featured in 12 World Cup matches — a Swiss record — and has worn the captain's armband since the end of 2019.

Questions about whether this tournament could be his final appearance on football's biggest stage were met with quiet resolve. "To be honest, I don't think so. As long as I still have that hunger, that determination and, above all, my health, I want to keep playing for as long as possible," Xhaka added.

Switzerland's group stage schedule

Murat Yakin's side open their campaign against Qatar at the Bay Arena in San Francisco on 13 June. Five days later, they face Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Los Angeles Stadium, before rounding out the group stage against Canada at BC Place in Vancouver on 24 June.