Football World Cup: “It’s far from over”: Swiss Yakin looks ahead

The mix of young and experienced players in the team is good, explained the former professional from VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. “As of now, I don’t know of any players who want to quit. But there will definitely be discussions in the next few days.” After the 2024 European Championships in Germany, long-time top performers Xherdan Shaqiri and Yann Sommer, among others, ended their careers in the national team.

No career as an actor planned

Yakin has been the Swiss coach since 2021 and his contract runs until 2028. “I hope you don’t think that I’m starting a new career as an actor,” he joked, referring to the fact that entertainer James Corden had recently compared him to a villain from the James Bond cosmos.

“I still really enjoy coaching and am extremely proud to be the Swiss national coach,” said Yakin. “I have the desire and joy to work with this team. I have zero thoughts about taking a different path. I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.”

Immediately after the game in Kansas City, Yakin shot sharply at referee Joao Pinheiro and his assistants. The Portuguese had given the Swiss Breel Embolo a yellow-red card for a swallow after a VAR warning. Because they were outnumbered, the Swiss were ultimately eliminated.