Switzerland are going to be playing at the World Cup this summer without one of their most iconic players.
Xherdan Shaqiri has scored many goals at major tournaments over the years, but he won’t be featuring this time around.
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The former Liverpool and Stoke winger, who is still playing club football for Basel, hasn’t played for Switzerland since 2024.
He has played at four World Cups in total for his country, while also playing in three European Championships over his career.
But that is where it stopped, as Shaqiri will not be adding another tournament to his collection this summer.
Why is Shaqiri not playing for Switzerland?
Shaqiri isn’t playing for Switzerland at the World Cup as he retired from international football in July 2024.
Just a few days after the Swiss lost to England at the Euros, the now 34-year-old called time on his international career.
“Seven tournaments, many goals, 14 years with the Swiss national team and unforgettable moments,” he wrote on social media.
“It’s time to say goodbye to the national team.
“Great memories remain and I say to you all, thank you.”
Shaqiri played 125 times for Switzerland across his 14 years with the team, scoring 32 goals for his nation.
Only two players have ever played more games for the Swiss team than the ex-Premier League star.
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Shaqiri’s history-making career
Shaqiri, who picked up his first cap at the age of 18 in 2010, is the third-highest Swiss appearance maker of all time, sitting behind only Ricardo Rodriguez and Granit Xhaka.
Rodriguez and Xhaka are likely to collect some more caps at the World Cup this summer, while Shaqiri misses out.
His Switzerland career ended with a third appearance at a European Championship after featuring in a fourth World Cup.
He is currently the only Swiss player ever to play in seven major tournaments, with Xhaka and Rodriguez set to equal him soon.
The veteran forward played in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 at the iconic tournament, playing 12 games altogether.
Shaqiri scored five times in those 12 appearances, including a memorable hat-trick at the 2014 edition against Honduras.
