Nati aims for early promotion – one point is enough on Friday

On Friday, the Nati already needs just one point against Slovenia to secure early promotion to Nations League League A, a goal the Swiss have in sight. The match will be broadcast live on SRF 2 on Friday. At the press conference, questions about the pitch, not the sporting proceedings, dominated before the game.

Previous performances of Switzerland

Switzerland won 3-0 in Skopje, 3-0 in Glasgow and 2-1 in Lucerne against Slovenia, as well as another 3-0 against North Macedonia at the same venue. After four rounds in Nations League League B, the Swiss national team is unbeaten.

After the relegation in the last campaign, the Nati is now firmly aiming for promotion back to League A. Coach Murat Yakin, 52, expressed at the press conference his happiness about the green pitch in Maribor and said: “I was very happy when I saw a green pitch. It is a pleasure to play on such a surface at this time of year.”

On his 70th appearance as national coach, Yakin emphasized the motto: “Play flat and maybe win high”. Despite the last‑minute loss of Johan Manzambi, Yakin demands fully fit players against Slovenia.

He added: “We must hold our ground from the start, take the baton in hand and show where it leads.” Slovenia has so far been the only team that seriously challenged Switzerland in this Nations League campaign; in October it fought in Lucerne with hard bandages and narrowly missed a point.

That was Slovenia’s only defeat, and they are five points behind Switzerland, the only team that could still threaten the top spot. Out of twelve matches, Switzerland has won eight.

The Nati’s last defeat was in October 2014 during the Euro qualification in Ljubljana. In the 2026 World Cup qualification, Switzerland beat Slovenia 3-0 in Basel, while the first leg in Ljubljana ended goalless.

A draw would be enough for Switzerland to secure the early group victory.