Xhaka makes fourth Switzerland World Cup squad
Sunderland's Granit Xhaka will take part in his fourth successive World Cup after being included in the Switzerland squad for this summer's tournament.
Granit Xhaka made his World Cup debut at the 2014 tournament in Brazil [Getty Images] Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka will take part in his fourth successive Fifa World Cup after being included in the Switzerland squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Xhaka, Switzerland's most capped player with 144 appearances, is one of four Premier League players called up by manager Murat Yakin. The Swiss captain is joined by Nottingham Forest striker Dan Ndoye, Leeds United forward Noah Okafor and Burnley attacker Zeki Amdouni.
Amdouni has made just three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, after retuning from a long-term knee injury earlier this month. "Medically, he is 100% fit. He knows our system.
He knows his role. That's the reason why I'm very glad he can be part of it," Yakin said of Amdouni during a press conference on Wednesday. "I think we have selected the best players for the squad and I can't wait to get going.
" World Cup 2026: Every nation's squad as they are announced Yakin has selected an experienced 26-man squad, including 17 players who featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Like Xhaka, Real Betis full-back Ricardo Rodriguez will compete at his fourth World Cup in a row and will look to add to his 136 caps. Young Boys forwards Alvyn Sanches and Joel Monteiro are surprise omissions, having both been in the squad for friendly matches against Germany and Norway in March.