On 24 November at 18:00, Switzerland and Cameroon will face Group G for the first time in their history, with Switzerland reaching the quarter-finals of last year's European Championship and Cameroon finishing third in the Africa Cup.
In the previous four tournaments, the Swiss coach was Petkovic, and this tournament is the first time that former international Murat Jacquin has led the team to the World Cup, since taking office in August 2021, Jacquin has scored 18 points in the World Qualifiers, remained unbeaten, beat Italy to directly qualify, in the UEFA Nations League, they started with three consecutive defeats, but then rebounded strongly, defeating Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic in succession to successfully relegate. Switzerland lost 2-0 to Ghana in their most recent warm-up match, but with key players such as Embolo and Xhaka in excellent form, Switzerland are confident in the World Cup prospects.
Cameroon have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, against only world ranked Burundi, but in the World Qualifiers, Rigobert Song's side beat Algeria to qualify for the World Cup for the eighth time. Cameroon is ranked fourth from bottom in the world in the last 32 of this World Cup, 28 places behind Switzerland, but seeing Saudi Arabia's victory over Argentina on Tuesday, any so-called underdog team can enter the World Cup with confidence.
Swiss goalkeeper Sommer suffered an ankle injury in October but has returned from his last friendly match, with Akanji, Scheer, Fleuler and Zakaria from the Premier League all regular regulars, while Shaqiri will make his 109th appearance for the international team and up front is Embolo, who has been in excellent form this season.
Cameroon have a well-rounded squad, with Brentford's Mbeyumo expected to start, Napoli's Anguiza the backbone of the team, Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana also being the absolute workhorse, and Lyon striker Ekambi will partner Bayern striker Shupo Motin, who has scored 11 goals and three assists in his last 10 games and is in impressive form.
Switzerland expected starting lineup (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Sommer (33/Borussia Mönchen)
Defenders: Ricardo Rodriguez (30/Torino), Akanji (27/Manchester City), Elvidi (26/Borussia Mönchen), Widmer (29/Mainz)
Midfielders: Xhaka (30/Arsenal), Freuler (30/Nottingham Forest) / Shaqiri (31/Chicago Fire), Sow (25/Eintracht Frankfurt), Vargas (24/Augsburg)
Forward: Embolo (25/Monaco)
Cameroon expected starting lineup (4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Onana (26/Inter)
Defenders: Tolo (25/Seattle Sounders), Castelleto (27/Nantes), Nkulu (32/Aris), Faye (30/Tay)
Midfielders: Ekambi (30/Lyon), Hungla (24/Verona), Anguiza (27/Napoli), Mbéumo (23/Brentford)
Forwards: Abubakar (30/Riyadh Victory), Shumpo Moting (33/Bayern)