Will Switzerland finish World Cup qualifying without a loss?
Even with the help of artificial means, it is impossible to generate much excitement ahead of the final World Cup qualifier between Kosovo and Switzerland. Although it is still mathematically possible for Kosovo to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, they would need a home win with a six (!) goal difference to do so.
Given that even a tip for a straight win for the home side in the match between Kosovo and Switzerland is yielding odds of up to 6.00 at the top, fans of the “Nati” can look forward to a relaxed evening in front of their TV sets. Nevertheless, the goal and ambition of Yakin’s team will be to conclude their impressive qualifying campaign with a positive result.
The record of four wins and one draw from five games, as well as an impressive goal difference of 13:1, deserves praise. The same applies to the fact that the 2024 European Championship quarter-finalists have not lost any of their nine international matches in the 2025 calendar year. They have seven wins and two draws. They have kept a clean sheet five times. In total, they have conceded only five goals.
Nevertheless, I could well imagine that a prediction of goals for both teams will come true on Tuesday evening in Pristina between Kosovo and Switzerland. The men from the Alpine republic may have lost some momentum after virtually securing qualification for the tournament in the summer of 2026. Apart from that, the Kosovars, who are well-staffed individually, are brimming with confidence after their recent results. The dream of participating in the World Cup is still alive, even if it will definitely have to be achieved via the playoffs in March next year.
Led by four Bundesliga players, including Hoffenheim star striker Fisnik Asllani, coach Franco Foda’s team remained completely undefeated in the last four qualifying games. Against Sweden, the Blue and Whites scored six out of a possible six points from two games, and against Slovenia they also scored an impressive four points. The world number 84 has won eleven of its last twelve international matches.
Kosovo – Switzerland Head-to-head record
Since 2022, Kosovo and Switzerland have crossed paths in four international matches. Surprisingly, the “Nati” has only won one of these encounters. After three draws in a row, including two draws in the European Championship qualifiers, Yakin’s team won 4-0 at home in the World Cup qualifier first leg two months ago. All four goals were scored in the first half, although the result was certainly a little too high for the hosts, considering the xG values (1.58 vs. 0.52).
In the fourth match, Kosovo failed to score against Switzerland for the first time. Anyone who not only believes that the “Dardaren” will score, but can even imagine the underdogs taking a 1-0 lead, will find attractive betting odds of 3.10, which offer value, before the kickoff of the match between Kosovo and Switzerland.
Kosovo – Switzerland Tip
The outcome in Group B has been clear since Saturday. As group winners, Switzerland have secured a direct ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Kosovo, in second place, will contest the playoffs. Anything else would be pure mathematics and illogical wishful thinking on the part of the home team. A home win with a six-goal difference is completely unrealistic and far-fetched.
However, it is still conceivable that the “both teams to score” bet will pay off in the Kosovo vs. Switzerland match. The Kosovars have scored in three of their four most recent direct matches against their upcoming opponents, are in impressive form after eleven wins in their last twelve games, and have nothing to lose at home. If we factor in a potential loss of momentum for Yakin’s team, we could be in for an entertaining evening in Pristina. The 1.90 odds for both teams to score offer a good risk-reward ratio and are therefore my preferred betting option. I’m going for four units.
