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Following the moderate results, Switzerland is approaching relegation to League B. What would that mean for the Nations League, World Cup qualification and rewards?
Will Switzerland soon have to leave League A in the Nations League?
Photo: Claudio Thoma (Freshfocus)
The results of previous games indicate this: coach Vladimir Petkovic’s team scored two points in four games.
Photo: Sascha Steinbach (Keystone / EPA)
Y: Poor results also influence World Cup qualification, because that’s why you’re probably in Pot 2 at the time of the draw.
Photo: Sascha Steinbach (Keystone / EPA)
Four games have already been played in this year’s Nations League, but Switzerland only have two points. So relegation from League A is more and more likely, what would that mean for the national team? A look into the near future.
Second-rate opponents
Instead of competing with the best teams in League A, the Swiss would face teams from the European middle class. Turkey instead of Germany. Finland instead of Spain. Or even Luxembourg, who surprisingly and persistently fights for promotion in the C League.
Almost a year and a half after the surprise participation in the Final Four tournament of the Nations League, Switzerland would have returned to a level that it believed it had left behind. On the other hand, put it in perspective: Germany also dropped from League A a year ago. Only thanks to an increase in the number of participants, the four-time world champion was saved from embarrassment. The descent is manageable from a sporting point of view.
Less money
On the contrary, in case of relegation, the treasury of the Swiss Football Federation would suffer. UEFA premiums are lower in the second highest league than in the highest league. The entry bonus is 1.5 million euros, instead of the previous 2.25 million. The bonuses for winning the group are also lower, also 1.5 instead of 2.25 million euros.
And the Final Four tournament, where there are more prizes to be won, is out of reach anyway, as you can only qualify from League A.
Last year, Pierluigi Tami, director of the national team, was able to expect seven million euros from the Nations League; this sum will now be significantly less.
Photo: Georgios Kefalas (Keystone)
Much more difficult
The current income crisis could have a more serious impact than the decline alone. Switzerland have not won any of their five games since the restart after the forced break of Corona, three defeats and two draws are the meager record. Now the national team has until mid-November to improve their home games against Spain and Ukraine. Because then it is decided: for the World Cup qualification.
The FIFA World Ranking after the Nations League is final is decisive for the draw. The top ten European teams will be drawn in Pot 1, and can avoid each other en route to Qatar in 2022. FIFA will only present the current rankings in the coming days, but Switzerland has already lost its place in the top 10 with the defeats against Croatia and Spain against Denmark. And behind that, Wales and Poland are also lurking. Therefore, it is highly likely that Switzerland is in Pot 2 and already has to deal with difficult stages in qualifying for the World Cup.
So what to do
To avoid the descent, that is of course the goal and it is still possible. Switzerland are currently in last place in their group, four points behind. But there are two games pending. And Switzerland only plays at home: on November 14, the team welcomes Spain, just three days later to Ukraine. Only the last team in a group descends.
Since the number of points from direct encounters decides in the event of a tie, four points are enough for Switzerland to give a spark of hope. But, without a doubt, six points are necessary.
