On Wednesday he named several veterans, including Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, in a 26-man squad for this month’s tournament.
Four goalkeepers are on the list, including first-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who is currently injured.
Inspirational but injury-prone winger Shaqiri, who plays for Chicago Fire in the US, will be taking part in his sixth major tournament, having appeared at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups as well as Euro 2016 and 2021.
About half of the squad named on WednesdayExternal link have played in at least three finals, including Arsenal midfielder Xhaka, expected to be named captain.
Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yann Sommer, Jonas Omlin, Philipp Köhn
Forwards: Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas, Djibril Sow, Haris Seferovic, Christian Fassnacht
The 2022 World Cup will be a first for Michel Aebischer, Fabian Frei, Ardon Jashari, Philipp Köhn, Noah Okafor, Renato Steffen and Fabian Rieder. The two main absentees from the list are Kevin Mbabu and Steven Zuber.
“We were spoilt for choice in certain positions. Many players have performed convincingly in recent weeks and months. But ultimately I had to limit myself to 26 names. I’m convinced that these 26 players can help us achieve our goals at any time,” Yakin said, who himself made 49 appearances for the Swiss national team.
When it comes to Swiss winning chances, the bookmakers have Switzerland in the middle of the 32-team table at around 100-1External link to lift the trophy. Brazil are favourites.
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Ex-FIFA boss regrets choice of Qatar for World Cup
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The former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, says the choice of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup was a mistake as the Gulf country is too small.
The Swiss football federation said the squad would fly to Qatar on Monday, then two days later move to Abu Dhabi for a final warm-up game against Ghana, a potential round of 16 opponent.
Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, but the small nation has come under intense pressure for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws.
Even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says giving the tournament to Qatar was a mistake.
The country’s human rights record has led to calls for teams and officials to boycott the tournament, which takes place from November 20 to December 18. Switzerland’s three group games are against Cameroon on November 24, Brazil on November 28 and Serbia on December 2.
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‘Is Qatar ready for the whole world? I don’t think so’
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The football World Cup kicks off in Qatar in two weeks. A Swiss teacher gives us her insights into a challenging culture.
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A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
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The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
Ecological status of Swiss streams insufficient according to study
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Pesticide use and obstructions of waterways have a particularly negative impact on sensitive organisms, completely absent in 70% of streams analysed.
Train line between Brig and Domodossola interrupted
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One day after a derailment approximately 15 kilometres from the Swiss border, BLS is running buses for passengers between Preglia and Domodossola, in Italy.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
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The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
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The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
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Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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LGBT activists protest at FIFA museum ahead of Qatar World Cup
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A few dozen people have protested in front of the FIFA Museum in Zurich ahead of the World Cup hosted by Gulf state Qatar.
‘Project Merciless’: how Qatar spied on the world of football in Switzerland
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Qatar orchestrated a major intelligence operation against FIFA officials helped by ex-CIA agents. Switzerland was a key theatre of operations.
Swiss footballers fined by FIFA for Albanian double-eagle gesture
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Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner will not be banned for their Albanian “double eagle” hand gesture.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.