Swiss coach Murat Yakin commits to national team after World Cup quarter-final exit
The 51-year-old coach and his players spoke in Kansas City after the 1-3 extra-time loss to Argentina, with Yakin dismissing any exit talk.
Processing the defeat
Murat Yakin held his final press conference of the 2026 World Cup on Sunday morning in Kansas City, less than twelve hours after Switzerland's quarter-final loss to Argentina. The Swiss coach said he had slept only three or four hours. He and his staff spent part of the night reviewing the tournament. Yakin described the 40-day journey that began with the departure from Zurich as a fantastic journey and an honour, even though the quarter-final ended bitterly.
The team did not deserve to go out in this way.
He declined to discuss the match in detail, saying only that a few questions about Breel Embolo's red card were still on the table. Embolo had been sent off for simulation after a VAR review, leaving Switzerland a man down against Argentina. Right after the match in Kansas City, Yakin had sharply criticised Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro and his assistants.
No plans to leave
Yakin's contract with the Swiss national team runs until the summer of 2028, and despite media speculation in recent weeks he made clear he is not leaving. The coach addressed the idea of a career change with humour.
I hope you don't think I'm going to start a career as an actor now.
The joke referred to a recent comparison by entertainer James Corden, who likened Yakin to a James Bond villain. Yakin stressed that he has no interest in any other job, inside or outside football.
I am extremely proud to be coach of the national team, and I have a huge desire to continue working with this team. For me there is zero thought of taking any other path.
He said the blend of young and experienced players in the squad is good, and that no player has told him they want to retire from international football, though conversations will take place in the coming days. After Euro 2024, long-serving figures like Xherdan Shaqiri and Yann Sommer ended their national team careers.
Freuler commits to the Nati
Midfielder Remo Freuler, 34, confirmed after the loss to Argentina that he intends to continue playing for Switzerland. He acknowledged he had given his future a lot of thought, partly because his club contract with Bologna has just expired. Freuler still saw a clear path forward in the national jersey.
We still have a lot planned in the national team. Today we saw that many things are possible. So it will continue.
Yakin welcomed Freuler's commitment, calling it very pleasing and noting that the team had taken many positive points from the World Cup campaign for the tasks ahead.
