{"id":78542,"date":"2026-06-06T03:51:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T03:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/78542\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T03:51:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T03:51:06","slug":"preview-switzerland-vs-australia-prediction-team-news-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/78542\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Switzerland vs Australia – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wrapping up preparations for the World Cup, both Switzerland<\/a> and Australia<\/a> will play their last game before the big show begins when they meet for an international friendly on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pair will clash at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, as the Swiss get ready for their seventh consecutive major tournament and their opponents approach a sixth straight global finals.<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

Having come through qualifying without tasting defeat, Switzerland were drawn in Group B for the upcoming World Cup<\/a>, where they will kick off against Qatar before meeting Bosnia-Herzegovina and co-hosts Canada.<\/p>\n

Often considered dark horses, the Swiss national team have gone out at the last 16 stage or earlier on their last eight appearances, so at least reaching the quarter-finals must be their aim.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under head coach Murat Yakin<\/a> – who escaped the sack before Euro 2024 and is now set to lead them into a second World Cup – the Nati went unbeaten throughout 2025.<\/p>\n

Despite losing a seven-goal thriller against neighbours Germany to start 2026, Yakin’s squad then played out a goalless draw with free-scoring Norway, and they beat Jordan 4-1 last weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Amid heavy rain in St. Gallen, Switzerland’s final fixture before flying out to the United States featured goals from Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo<\/a>, Christian Fassnacht and long-serving captain Granit Xhaka.<\/p>\n

Now, one week before getting their Group B campaign under way, they will meet Australia for just the second time at senior level, following a 0-0 home draw in September 2010.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Iconsport \/ Zuma<\/p>\n

While Switzerland hope to finally reach the last eight, Australia will be targeting their first knockout win in a World Cup – providing they escape a group also containing Turkey, Paraguay and co-hosts USA.<\/p>\n

The Socceroos booked their sixth successive appearance – without needing to negotiate the playoffs – after Tony Popovic<\/a> galvanised a team previously labouring under Graham Arnold.<\/p>\n

A steely centre-back in his playing days, Popovic has brought discipline and structure, relying on a tight defensive setup to help the Aussies advance directly through AFC qualifying.<\/p>\n

It has been a mixed picture since. After ending last year with three consecutive defeats, Australia kicked off 2026 with wins over Cameroon and Curacao, before losing 1-0 to Mexico<\/a> last weekend.<\/p>\n

Goals have been hard to come by for some time now, but they did put five past Curacao in March, and a handful of rising stars could offer hope this summer.<\/p>\n

England-based pair Mo Toure and Nestory Irankunda have both impressed, while ex-Roma forward Cristian Volpato has just switched allegiance from Italy.<\/p>\n

Switzerland International Friendlies form:<\/p>\n

L D W<\/p>\n

Switzerland form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

D W D L D W<\/p>\n

Australia International Friendlies form:<\/p>\n

L L L W W L<\/p>\n

Team News<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ PsnewZ<\/p>\n

Switzerland’s squad left Europe without star striker Embolo, as his clearance to enter the US was placed under review and a visa has only just been issued.<\/p>\n

So, after scoring his 24th international goal against Jordan, the Rennes forward will arrive late, meaning he could be replaced by Zeki Amdouni or Cedric Itten on Saturday.<\/p>\n

As ever, the Nati will be led out by Xhaka, who is soon set to play at a fourth consecutive World Cup; Remo Freuler should also feature in midfield, where Djibril Sow, Michel Aebischer, Ardon Jashari and Johan Manzambi are all vying for places.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, against Mexico, Australia boss Popovic surprisingly selected 18-year-old Lucas Herrington on the left side of a back three that started in front of Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan.\u00a0Yet, there was no debut for uncapped forwards Volpato or Tete Yengi, both of whom were shock call-ups.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Qualifying top-scorer – and Tete’s older brother – Kusini Yengi missed out on selection due to a thigh injury, while experienced Hibernian striker Martin Boyle was dropped.<\/p>\n

A product of Bayern Munich’s academy, but now plying his trade with Watford, Irankunda bagged a brace against Curacao earlier this year; meanwhile, Norwich City’s Toure has been in top form and should start up front.<\/p>\n

Switzerland possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Kobel; Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Rieder, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Ndoye, Amdouni, Okafor<\/p>\n

Austria possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Ryan; Circati, Souttar, Herrington; Italiano, Metcalfe, Devlin, Irvine, Bos; Irankunda; Toure<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We say: Switzerland 2-0 Australia\u00a0<\/p>\n

Even without their first-choice striker, Switzerland have several goal threats, while Australia’s attack is relatively limited – a few promising youngsters aside.<\/p>\n

While the result bears little importance, expect the Nati to prevail in this final World Cup warm-up.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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