Granit Xhaka
Switzerland captain and Sunderland midfielder; converted a stoppage-time penalty vs Bosnia to secure a 4-1 win, 18 June 2026.
Last refreshed: 19 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Will Granit Xhaka captain Switzerland beyond the group stage at his fourth World Cup?
Timeline for Granit Xhaka
Converted a stoppage-time penalty for Switzerland
2026 FIFA World Cup: Switzerland beat Bosnia 4-1 to advanceBackground
Granit Xhaka converted a 97th-minute penalty to complete Switzerland's 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina at SoFi Stadium on 18 June 2026, the result confirming the Swiss as Group B qualifiers alongside Canada . The goal was his 18th for Switzerland in 148 caps, and he became only the second Swiss player to score at three separate World Cups, joining Xherdan Shaqiri. Xhaka marked the occasion with a pointed celebration directed at his critics.
Xhaka plays for Sunderland in the English Premier League having moved from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2025. He has captained Switzerland since 2019, and the 2026 tournament is his fourth World Cup: he featured at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. He holds the Swiss record for World Cup appearances, having played 12 matches across tournaments.
A central presence in Swiss football for over a decade, Xhaka has mellowed from his early-career controversies to become one of Europe's most respected midfield leaders. His experience and set-piece delivery remain key assets for Switzerland at this stage of his international career.