The Swiss national team returned to Zurich on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, and was greeted by several thousand fans at Turbinenplatz after its World Cup quarterfinal exit.
Captain Granit Xhaka thanked the crowd for turning out, while goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said it was “crazy” that so many supporters had got up early to welcome the team home.
The squad landed in Zurich at around 10.15 am after flying back from the United States, before making its way to the public reception in Zurich-West. The team was initially scheduled to appear on stage at noon, but the appearance was delayed until about 12.15 pm.
Switzerland’s tournament ended with a 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the quarterfinals, but the side still returned to a celebratory homecoming that underlined how far it had gone in the competition.
“We were mostly better than the reigning world champions,” said coach Murat Yakin.
“There could have been more. Knowing that we could have reached the semi-finals is a small consolation,” said Yakin.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel said, “We believed in reaching the semi-finals until the very end.”
“It’s not something to take for granted that so many fans are here,” said Granit Xhaka.
Political Ministers Also Thank Swiss National Team
Swiss federal ministers also weighed in on the national team’s World Cup campaign, sending public messages of support and congratulations after the squad’s quarterfinal run. Following the team’s return to Zurich, both Federal President Guy Parmelin and Sports Minister Martin Pfister thanked the players and staff for their performances and the emotions they provided to fans across the country.
BR Martin Pfister in Kansas City
«Das WM-Aus tut weh. Die Nati hat bis am Schluss alles gegeben. Sie hat uns begeistert. Sie hat mit dem Einzug ins Viertelfinale Schweizer Fussballgeschichte geschrieben. Dafür verdient die Mannschaft grossen Respekt und unseren herzlichen Dank.» pic.twitter.com/5AllvDcPMW
— VBS – DDPS (@vbs_ddps) July 12, 2026
La belle aventure de la Nati s'arrête en quarts de finale de la @FIFAWorldCup. Malgré la déception du jour, je retiens avant tout un parcours exceptionnel et une équipe soudée, qui a fait vibrer toute la Suisse. Merci pour ces émotions et un immense bravo à tous ! 👏🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/WsHgJgq64n
— Guy Parmelin (@ParmelinG) July 12, 2026
Fans Protest Against Gianni Infantino, Chant “Football belongs to the fans”
Football fans in Switzerland have taken to the streets to protest against FIFA, its president Gianni Infantino and what they describe as the growing commercialization of the sport. Demonstrators marched through Swiss streets chanting slogans including, “Against modern FIFA,” “Stop FIFA corruption,” and “Infantino out!”
Fans also chanted “Football belongs to the fans.”
The protest targeted the broader governance of world football under Infantino’s leadership, which critics say has prioritized commercial interests over fan welfare and grassroots football. Gianni Infantino was born on March 23, 1970, in Brig, Valais, Switzerland, to Italian immigrant parents. He holds both Swiss and Italian citizenship. He was elected FIFA president on February 26, 2016, at the FIFA Congress in Zurich, and has been re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
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