FIFA Ranking: 6 (Last Updated 05 Jun 2014)
History: Switzerland have qualified for nine World Cups. They have reached the last eight on three occasions with 1954, being the last time. In 2010, they failed to progress into the Round of 16, though they shocked eventual champions Spain 1-0 in the opening match.
Qualifying report: Switzerland topped Group E in the qualifiers after being handed relatively easy opponents. They qualified with a match in hand. They kept clean sheets in seven of their 10 matches.
Star Players: Xherdan Shaqiri - He scored two goals in the qualification round and plays for Bayern Munich (Germany) at the club level. One of the most talented wide attacking midfielders in Europe, the 22-year-old has had limited chances at Bayern due to the presence of big stars. But, he has been consistent with his performances and could shine as one of the break-out stars in Brazil.
Stephan Lichtsteiner is a compact right-sided defensive player. He plays for Juventus (Italy) in the Serie A. Playing for the Italian champions has helped Lichtsteiner grow as a player and that is crucial to Switzerland`s needs. His overlapping runs and crosses will be crucial for the team.
Top Scorer during WC Qualification 2014: Fabian Schar (3)
Top scorer at the Cup: Josef Hugi (6)
Most World Cup caps: Jackie Fatton (7)
Team record at the Cup: M: 29, W: 9, D: 6, L: 14
Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld - He will retire following the World Cup in 2014. He has led Switzerland for six years. He has infused the team with youth after failing to qualify for the Euro 2012. At club level, he has won two European Cups with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in 1997 and 2001 respectively.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Roman Buerki (Grasshopper), Yann Sommer (Basel)
Defenders: Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Michael Lang (Grasshopper), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg), Fabian Schaer (Basel), Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Reto Ziegler (Sassuolo)
Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Eintracht Frankfurt), Valon Behrami (Napoli), Blerim Dzemaili (Napoli), Gelson Fernandes (Freiburg), Gokhan Inler (Napoli), Xherdan Shaqiri (Bayern Munich), Valentin Stocker (Basel)
Forwards: Josip Drmic (Nuremberg), Mario Gavranovic (Zurich), Admir Mehmedi (Freiburg), Haris Seferovic (Real Sociedad), Granit Xhaka (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Group listing: Group E - France, Honduras and Ecuador.
Fixtures:
June 15: Switzerland v Ecuador, Brasilia
June 20: Switzerland v France, Salvador
June 25: Honduras v Switzerland, Manaus