Euro 2024 Group A
GROUP A
Group A venues are Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart with the tournament's opening match hosts Germany v Scotland in Munich. The host nation are favourites to win the group but it is far from clear-cut: Germany have been below par for a decade, the Swiss are always a tough nut to crack, Hungary are keen to perform and long-time absentees Scotland have the backing of the fanatical Tartan Army.
Germany Scotland Hungary Switzerland
|
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Germany
The Mannschaft may be Europe's most historically successful nation but have not made FIFA's top 10 rankings for the past five seasons. Consecutive first round World Cup exits, a second round exit at Euro 2020 and a woeful 2023 do not scream probable winners this time, but home advantage will make up for any shortcomings, as it did on their ride to the semi finals of the last World Cup they hosted, in 2006.
 |
 |
 |
|
Germany Kit 1 |
Germany Kit 2 |
Germany Kit 3 |
Germany v Scotland, 14th June, Munich Football Arena, Munich
Germany v Hungary, 19th June, Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart
Germany v Switzerland, 23rd June, Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt
Coach
Julian Nagelsmann (since Sep 2023).
The Bavarian is one of the most talked about managers right now, with a trio of milestones already under his belt - the youngest manager in Bundesliga history (aged 28), the youngest in the Champions League (31) and now the youngest to coach at the European Championship (36). Duly nicknamed the 'Baby Mourinho', he also broke the world transfer fee record for managers when he joined Bayern Munich in 2021.
A Bundesliga title with Bayern and a Champions League semi-final with RB Leipzig remain his highest achievements but his whirlwind career has propelled him to his country's top job early in his working life.
Nagelsmann cites Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel and Arsene Wenger as his touchstones, but his use of gegenpressing, switching formations and vertical play is also redolent of Jurgen Klopp. He also loves technology, using drones to monitor training and installing a giant video screen beside the pitch to help get his points across. He once said managing a team is 30% tactics and the rest man-management.
With only six games under his belt, the wunderkind's win rate with Germany is only 50% but recent scalps of France and the Netherlands promise much and big European clubs will surely be calling soon. A German win however would see pressure on him to stay for the 2026 World Cup.
 |
 |
 |
|
Germany Kit 4 |
Germany Kit 5 |
Germany Kit 6 |
Record
Germany have made the final of the Euros more than anyone (six times) and won it three times (1972, 1980 and 1996), a joint record with Spain. They were losing semi-finalists in 2012 and 2016 but were knocked out in the Round of 16 in 2020.
FIFA Ranking (16th)
Men to watch
For a while, Jamal Musiala has been the most exciting German prospect. The Bayern dribbler is only 21 but has already featured at Euro 2020 and Qatar 2022. He has yet to set the world on fire but this summer is his big chance to cement his status as a world-class talent. But a knee injury incurred in the Champions League semi final could mean he misses out on the group stage at least.
If Musiala is not there, 20 year-old attacker Florian Wirtz, who has excelled in Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga-winning season, could make a Toto Schillaci-esque impact. Both have a £100 million price tag slapped on them.
Germany certainly have a decent draw plus home advantage to smoothen their path to the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July the 14th.
The bookies rate the hosts at 6/1, behind only England and France, but if the group stages go to form then they will avoid both those rivals until the final.
Croatia, Italy and Spain lie in their half of the draw instead, none of whom are mugs of course and will seek to exploit Germany's lack of experience and host nation nerves.
How they qualified
Automatic qualification as host nation.
On the sidelines
Wunderkind Flo Wirtz is recovering from a thigh strain and Serge Gnabry has hamstring issues but both are expected back by the start of the Euros.
Formation
Julian Nagelsmann has only had six games in charge, shifting formations and roles, including playing Arsenal striker Kai Havertz at full back, but in his two wins in 2024 he has employed a 4-2-3-1 shape which he will probably use this summer.
Analysis
On home soil, Germany have a golden chance to break their decade-long drought which has seen them miss out on every final since they won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Last year they were still in the doldrums registering only two wins in nine, including home defeats to Japan and Turkey and away losses to Austria and Poland, hardly a rich vein of form to carry to the tournament.
But 2024 has seen a massive rejuvenation in the form of wins away to France and at home to the Netherlands, which suddenly gives hope for a tilt at the title this summer.
The squad has a backbone of thirtysomething performers from top sides to call upon: Barcelona's Ilkay Gündoğan, Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger and Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer.
Of the younger contingent, Kai Havertz (24) has been rejuvenated since moving to Arsenal, while Bayern's Leroy Sane and Tottenham's Timo Werner (both 28) have shown some great form this season. But all eyes will be on Musiala if he is fit, only 21 but already in his fifth season at the Allianz Arena.
A cameo at the World Cup showed he was not quite ready to sit at high table but the former England youth player is set to shine at Euro 2024 with his angelic feet, elusive positioning and penetrative dribbling.
For all the talk of Musiala, he could be eclipsed by a younger teammate on the other flank. Florian Wirtz has been breaking Bundesliga records and is on the crest of a wave this season with Xabi Alonso's champions Bayer Leverkusen. The Mannschaft are all set to go with the Flo this summer.
Nagelsmann's two years at Bayern Munich inevitably means a cohort from his old team will be big in his mind but this year's Bundesliga winners will also make up a chunk of the squad.
After two impressive friendly wins in March this year where Nagelsmann played the same starting eleven, there is little mystery who will be the first choice players for Germany at Euro 2024.
Barcelona's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has been impressive in recent friendlies but Neuer remains the first-choice custodian, whom Nagelsmann has pinpointed as his key man alongside Gündoğan. The central defensive pairing of Rüdiger and Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah is joined by Bayern's Joshua Kimmich at right back and Stuttgart's Max Mittelstädt at left back.
The recalled Kroos excelled this year, cementing his place as the anchor and orchestrator, alongside Bayer Leverkusen's Robert Andrich, allowing a sharp attacking quartet freedom ahead of them. Kroos has announced his imminent retirement so will want to leave on a high.
Musiala's wizardry on the right is mirrored by Leverkusen's Flo Wirtz on the left, Gündoğan the central pivot and Havertz the point of attack.
From the bench he could employ Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug, who has been in prolific form for club and country, defender Mats Hummels or veteran Thomas Muller. Füllkrug or Stuttgart's Deniz Undav are as close as Germany get to a traditional 'bomber' in the tradition of Gerd Muller, Karl-Heinz Rumennigge or Jurgen Klinsmann, but Nagelsmann is more likely to employ 'attackers' like Havertz, Serge Gnabry or Leroy Sane to score.
Nagelmann likes his teams to push forward in numbers and attack on a wide front to stretch the opposition defence, which also allows effective gegenpressing in the opposition third.
Perhaps the team is too top-heavy in quality, with the defence less reliable, an impression not helped by Vinicius Jr. terrorising Kimmich in the Champions League semi final.
The 2024 transformation has been so sudden one wonders if Nagelsmann has found a magic formula or the team has peaked too soon. Memories of how the Mannschaft's progress at the 2006 World Cup ignited a Sommermarchen - a Summer fairy tale, hint at something similar this year. It should be entertaining.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona).
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Führich (VfB Stuttgart), Pascal Groß (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ilkay Gündogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen).
Strikers: Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim), Niclas Füllkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart).
Scotland
Back to back Euros qualifications for Scotland are some recompense for missing out on the World Cup since 1998, but the Scots' goal must be to break their jinx of perennial group stage elimination. Win one of their three games and they should qualify.
 |
 |
 |
|
Scotland Kit 1 |
Scotland Kit 2 |
Scotland Kit 3 |
Scotland v Germany, 14th June, Munich Football Arena, Munich
Scotland v Switzerland, 19th June, Cologne Stadium, Cologne
Scotland v Hungary, 23rd June, Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart
Coach
Steve Clarke (since 2019). The 60-year-old former Kilmarnock and West Brom manager has guided Scotland to two major finals and as high as 30th in the FIFA World Rankings throughout his five-year tenure. Widely respected, Clarke is a calm, sober and level-headed leader well-schooled in international football from playing under Ruud Gullit and Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and from working as assistant manager at Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool. His assistant is the equally highly-rated John Carver, former second-in-command to the great Bobby Robson at Newcastle.
Record
Scotland have qualified three times before for the Euros (1992, 1996 and 2020) but have yet to make it out of the first round.
FIFA Ranking (39th)
Men to watch
John McGinn remains the key to Scottish success after another great season with Aston Villa. His driving runs, midfield aggression and personal leadership haul the team along.
Scott McTominay might be a Man Utd supersub but at least can continue being a protagonist for his country with his attacking runs and passion to turnaround games. His brace to beat Spain last year at Hampden Park are proof enough of his match-winning value.
Andy Robertson remains Scotland's other ace in the pack. If the flying Scotsman can translate his scintillating club form in a red shirt into the blue of his country they can advance, but he has had injury niggles recently.
Getting out of their group for the first time remains their realistic goal. The squad has an experienced spine with a good manager, but lack strength in depth to go far. Nevertheless, one win out of three may be good enough to progress.
Recent form is uninspiring - the last seven outings have seen two draws and five losses, most recently at home to Northern Ireland. Comprehensive defeats by the French (4-1) and the Dutch (4-0) in the last few months suggest the Scots are still a second division European football nation who will not advance beyond the Round of 16.
How they qualified
Scotland finished second in Group A behind Spain, six points ahead of Norway, Erling Haaland et al, and they qualified with two games to spare.
On the sidelines
A big loss is Bologna's Lewis Ferguson, midfielder of the year in Serie A, with an ACL injury. Brentford right back Aaron Hickey has been sidelined with hamstring issues since last year, ditto Everton's Nathan Patterson, who has been ruled out with a hamstring pull. Centre back Grant Hanley is still struggling with a torn Achilles since last season, while Brighton's Billy Gilmour has a troublesome knee. Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong is also in a race to recover from a quadriceps injury, while Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack has been plagued by calf issues this season. Luton striker Jacob Brown has been out with knee cartilage damage since February.
Formation
Scotland play a 5-4-1 / 3-4-2-1 formation of a back three flanked by two wing backs, then two central midfielders, two wide attackers and a single striker ahead of them.
Analysis
Chances are the Scots will experience yet another emotional and hard-fought group stage which ends in narrow denial, but they have a genuine chance of making it to the Round of 16 given four of the six third-placed teams will qualify too.
Scotland will probably succumb to the hosts in their opener but be a tough nut to crack for the Swiss and Hungarians in the realistic battle for second place.
Steve Clarke is a wily manager and is well aware of his side's limitations but also that he has a spine of quality to rely upon: Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay and Callum MacGregor are all good players.
The squad should hark back to beating Spain comprehensively last year as proof they can take on the big boys and win.
Norwich's Angus Gunn will be the custodian. The centre back trio should comprise Arsenal's Kieran Tierney on the left, Watford's Ryan Porteous on the right and Al-Ettihaq's Jack Hendry in the middle.
Liverpool's Andy Robertson is a key player at left-wing back, charged with shuttling forward into attack at every opportunity. The right wing-back position is wide open after the first two choices were ruled out through injury.
Manchester United's Scott McTominay will hold the central midfield together despite his lack of starts at Old Trafford, with Brighton's Billy Gilmour, who at 22 needs to recapture the electric promise he showed as a teenager with Chelsea.
Solid positional play and canny orchestration falls to Aston Villa's John McGinn ahead of him, alongside Callum McGregor, who has been in fine late season form with Celtic in the SPL.
While the defence played well in qualifying, goalscoring remains their Achilles heel, with no sign of a new Denis Law (30 goals in 55 games) on the horizon. McTominay was their top scorer in qualifying with seven and he is a midfielder while their regular strikers only netted a couple of goals.
Up front, fears of a dearth of strikers have been eased somewhat by the emergence of Lawrence Shankland. The Hearts marksman is the PFA Scotland Player of the Year and a tempting alternative to the incumbent, QPR's Lyndon Dykes, who leads the line well and played at Euro 2020. Southampton's Che Adams completes the trio in contention for the No.9 position and is probably the most mobile option.
Opening their campaign against the hosts is an unfortunate draw which brings back memories of the two meeting in their first match at Euro '92 in Sweden. That was an entertaining battle which ended in a 2-0 win for the Germans.
Assuming the Mannschaft win again, the Scots' fate hinges on the showdown with Switzerland in Cologne on the 19th of June. That match also has history, as Scotland beat them at Euro '96, only to miss out on the quarter finals by one goal.
Avoid defeat by the Rhine and they can be hopeful of topping Hungary in their final clash with goal difference a possible factor, as it was in denying them passage at Euro '96.
Scotland are the lowest-ranked team in their group with only two wins in 19 friendlies, but the statistics can lie; when it comes to competitive fixtures, the team has won 15 of their last 21 games.
In their favour, Scotland will have the most passionate fans at Euro 2024. The Tartan Army are a twelfth man, will be having a ball on their first overseas tournament jolly this century and will make happy memories for everyone in Germany.
Pass or fail on the field, the presence of their supporters at the finals is a win for everyone, but the kilts and sporrans would also dearly like to see a knockout game for the first time.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell).
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad).
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (AFC Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Kenny McLean (Norwich), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Strikers: Ché Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City) James Forrest (Celtic), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls).
Hungary
The Magyars arrive at their third consecutive Euro finals as group winners from the qualifiers and on a long unbeaten run. With good reason they hope to cause an upset or two in Germany.
 |
 |
|
Hungary Kit 1 |
Hungary Kit 2 |
Hungary v Switzerland, 15th June, Cologne
Hungary v Germany, 19th June, Stuttgart
Hungary v Scotland, 23rd June, Stuttgart
Coach
Marco Rossi. The 59-year-old Italian was a much-travelled player but has been involved with Hungarian football since he joined the legendary Honvéd as manager in 2012. Working with Cosimo Inguscio, the Italian pair have been in charge of the national team since 2018 and formed a close-knit group. Popular with his players and the public, Rossi now targets a wider audience.
Record
Semi-Final - 1964, 1972
Round of 16 - 2016
Group Stage - 2020
FIFA Ranking (26th)
Men to watch
Dominil Szoboszlai is their captain and standout player. Still only 23, the Liverpool midfielder carries his nation's hopes on his shoulders. A skilful and hard working performer who ranges across the field with a box to box engine and dead ball accuracy, the hype is justified. With 40 caps he has become the side's heart and soul, evoking comparisons with compatriot great Lajos Détári and even some whispers of the legendary Ferenc Puskás, the last Hungarian star at a big club. Having missed out on Euro 2020, now is Szoboszlai's time to shine.
Forward Roland Sallai is sure to dirty the gloves of opposition goalkeepers in Germany. The 27 year old has lit up the Bundesliga with Freiburg and was the author of the brace which beat England two summers ago. Elusive yet direct and deadly within sight of goal.
Look out too for Milos Kerkez, the highest valued player in the squad after Szoboszlai. The 20 year-old wing-back has been winning rave reviews for his storming runs for Bournemouth and Hungary.
Despite the evidence of a potential dark horse, the bookies rate Hungary as only the 14th most likely nation to win Euro 2024, at 80/1. They look good for the Round of 16 but will probably face Italy or Spain then, which looks a tall order.
How they qualified
Hungary won Group G with five wins and three draws and a 100% home record. Home and away wins over Serbia stood out.
On the sidelines
Experienced midfielder Zsolt Kalmár, who has 36 caps, misses out, as do a pair of young strikers who might have made the squad - Hamburg's András Németh and Lommel's Zalan Vancsa.
Formation
3-4-2-1
Analysis
It is hard to find a dark horse in football these days given the plethora of statistics and videos in circulation, but Hungary could fit the bill.
A world ranking of 26 does not suggest they will challenge for the cup, but on closer inspection they have only lost two of their last 21 games, home and away to Italy, which is no disgrace. That spell also featured competitive away wins over England, Germany and Serbia and winning their qualification group unbeaten, so maybe we should start taking notice of the red shirts.
At the last Euros, Hungary drew with both France and Germany, but finished bottom of their group so it is clear this time they need at least a win, realistically from their clashes with the Swiss and the Scots which sandwich their date with the hosts in Stuttgart.
If anything, they seem to do better against the top sides.
For the Germany match, Marco Rossi's men should recall their Nations League win over them in Leipzig in 2022, if not the 1954 World Cup final they lost 3-2 having led 2-0 after eight minutes.
Much credit should go to their Italian coach for moulding a fluid team based on a strong defensive trio and sharp attacking with an ace in Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.
In goal, the No.1 jersey is still up for grabs. Leipzig's Peter Gulacsi, the long-time first choice, missed the year before last through injury and has returned to acclaim, particularly against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Ferencvaros' Denes Dibusz, was a more than adequate substitute throughout the qualifiers, leaving Marco Rossi with a Clemence v Shilton dilemma.
While the back line shifts between three and five men, the lynchpin is Leipzig's Willi Orban, a defensive rock with 43 caps, the same number as his familiar Bundesliga colleague on his left, Attila Szalai. Márton Dárdai is an alternative Rossi has hinted he may pick instead of Szalai, whose lack of playing time concerns him. Veteran Adam Lang should make up the trio.
Adam Nagy holds the midfield together, expertly linking defence and attack while snuffing out opposition attacks, with creativity beside him in the form of Union Berlin's Andras Schafer. Bournemouth raider Milos Kerkez on the left and French-born Loic Nego on the right complete the midfield. An alternative is Bury-born Callum Styles, a versatile performer currently on loan at Sunderland.
Then come the real goal threats - Szoboszalai and Sallai, both roaming attackers, with Ferencvaros and the Hungarian league's top gunner Barnabas Varga as No.9 ahead of them.
Hungary have never reached the world-changing heights of their early 1950s golden age, but this summer does feel like a chance to become feared again. Hungarian fans, sensing something special, will be well represented in Germany.
Rossi has gone with experience in his squad. He has been working in Hungary for 12 years and was so confident of his selection he became the first of the 24 managers at Euro 2024 to announce his squad, a full month before the finals.
2024 Squad
Goalkeepers: Dénes Dibusz (Ferencváros), Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig), Péter Szappanos (Paksi).
Defenders: Botond Balogh (Parma), Endre Botka (Ferencváros), Márton Dárdai (Hertha Berlin), Attila Fiola (Fehervar), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Ádám Lang (Omonia Nicosia), Willi Orban (RB Leipzig), Zsolt Nagy (Puskás Akadémia), Attila Szalai (Freiburg), Loïc Némo (Le Havre).
Midfielders: Bendegúz Bolla (Servette), Dániel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union), Krisztofer Horváth (Kecskeméti), László Kleinheisler (Hajduk Split), Mihály Kata (MTK Budapest), Ádám Nagy (Spezia), András Schäfer (Union Berlin), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Callum Styles (Barnsley).
Strikers: Roland Sallai (Freiburg), Martin Ádám (Ulsan), Barnabás Varga (Ferencváros), Kevin Csoboth (Újpest).
Switzerland
The Swiss are regular Round of 16 qualifiers but this time they look shaky and caught between generations. Making it out of the group will be a challenge in itself.
 |
 |
 |
|
Switzerland Kit 1 |
Switzerland Kit 2 |
Switzerland Kit 3 |
Switzerland v Hungary, 15th June, Cologne
Switzerland v Scotland, 19th June, Cologne
Switzerland v Germany, 23rd June, Frankfurt
Coach
Berne-born Murat Yakin has been manager since 2021 having coached seven different Swiss clubs and won 49 caps for his country. He is the older brother of Swiss international Hakan Yakin. When Northern Ireland drew with Italy to send Switzerland to the 2022 World Cup, Yakin sent 9 kg of Swiss chocolate to Belfast in gratitude. His relaxed demeanour makes him popular with his team and public, but his reputation took a hit after the 6-1 thrashing by Portugal at Qatar 2022.
Record
2020 Quarter-Final, 2016 Round of 16, 1996, 2004, 2008 Group Stage
FIFA Ranking (19th)
Men to watch
Granit Xhaka remains their key player, a midfield anchor and orchestrator in one, coming off a wonderful Bundesliga-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen.
It is hard to see how the Swiss can advance at Euro 2024 without a huge effort and slice of luck. The hosts should be too strong for them, while Hungary and Scotland arrive more confident. Switzerland are 12th favourite to win Euro 2024 with odds ranging from 50 to 80/1.
How they qualified
Switzerland finished second in Group I behind Romania.
On the sidelines
Striker Breel Embolo is still touch and go after muscle pulls following nine months out with ACL damage. Right winger Ruben Vargas also has muscle problems, defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria may miss out with hamstring trouble while right-sided midfielder Joël Monteiro has a knee ligament injury.
Formation
4-3-3
Analysis
The Swiss wear the mantle of a perennial Round of 16 team and a tough nut to crack but this time they look likely to be home before the postcards.
It is hard to find evidence that they will progress in Germany. They qualified from a weak group ahead of Israel, Belarus, Kosovo and Andorra, with five draws from ten matches, the most of any qualifier.
The golden generation who won the U17 World Cup in 2009 are now in their rusty third decade but the younger replacements are failing to cut the mustard, which leaves the side in a bit of a rut.
To be fair, Murat Yakin has experimented with different formations and tried to blood new players but the results have not been successful - only two wins over Andorra in their last eight qualifiers, with three goals conceded at home to Belarus and two draws with little Kosovo.
The manager has settled on a 4-3-3 shape with veteran Yan Sommer in goal and Manchester City's Manuel Akanji and Borussia Mönchengladbach Nico Elvedi the centre back pairing, Mainz's Silvan Widmer and Torino's Ricardo Rodriguez the full backs. The quartet have more than 260 caps between them but the defence is porous as the qualifiers proved.
Denis Zakaria is tasked with disrupting attacks but the Monaco midfielder has a hamstring pull and has struggled with injuries and first-team football at Chelsea and Juventus. Bologna's Remo Freuler should play on the right of midfield with Grant Xhaka on the left. Swiss hopes hang on their skipper, who has just come off a title-winning season in Germany. A natural leader, the former Arsenal man will need all of his 123 caps' experience to haul his side out of the group.
In the absence of first-choice Breel Embolo, who is in a fitness battle, Burnley's Zeki Amdouni, their top scorer in qualifying, should play No.9, with Augsburg's Ruben Vargas and Milan's Noah Okafor completing the front three.
Vargas has injury niggles however which could mean a recall for the enigmatic Xherdan Shaqiri whose career has included spells at Bayern Munich and Liverpool and periodic explosions of on-field brilliance.
There are too many questions surrounding the defence and attack however, as well as worries that their best players are the wrong side of 30. Tactical experiments have failed too which has led to an end of empire feel about the team.
Their first outing against the Hungarians should dictate their tournament. A win would boost morale and give them a platform for the knockout stages. Expect the Swiss to go safety first and try to nick the odd goal via some individual magic.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Internazionale), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund).
Defenders: Ricardo Rodríguez (Torino), Fabian Schär (Newcastle United), Manuel Akanji (Manchester City), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Silvan Widmer (Mainz), Cedric Zesiger (VfL Wolfsburg), Leonidas Stergiou (VfB Stuttgart).
Midfielders: Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen), Xherdan Shaqiri (Chicago Fire FC), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Denis Zakaria (AS Monaco), Michel Aebischer (Bologna), Fabian Rieder (Stade Rennais), Ardon Jashari (FC Luzern), Vincent Sierro (Toulouse).
Strikers: Breel Embolo (AS Monaco), Steven Zuber (AEK Athens), Ruben Vargas (FC Augsburg), Renato Steffen (FC Lugano), Noah Okafor (AC Milan), Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Dan Ndoye (Bologna), Kwadwo Duah (Ludogorets Razgrad).
Compiled by Sean O'Conor
Buy tickets for soccer matches around the world