Swiss captain Granit Xhaka faces criticism while leading team at World Cup 2026

Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, captain of the national team, scored a late penalty in the 4‑1 win over Bosnia‑Herzegovina at the 2026 World Cup and celebrated with a hand‑gesture that drew media attention. He told reporters that criticism about his “toxic” remarks inside the squad was expected and that he relied on the backing of coach Murat Yakin and his teammates.

Swiss media reported that some players felt Xhaka’s “critical” approach was creating a “toxic direction” in the camp, while teammate Remo Freuler defended the captain, saying the squad’s morale remained good and that open criticism is necessary for improvement. The team now looks to the upcoming group match against co‑host Canada and the next game versus Bosnia‑Herzegovina to rebuild momentum after a 1‑1 draw with Qatar.

Xhaka, who moved to Premier‑League side AFC Sunderland in 2025, emphasized that the focus must shift from “talk” to “action” and that the squad must “wake up” after the under‑whelming performances.