Denis Zakaria

Denis Zakaria is the central midfielder named in Switzerland's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, in Murat Yakin's selection announced on 20 May 2026. He is 29 at kick-off and brings 63 senior caps and 3 international goals into the tournament. He captains his club, AS Monaco, while Granit Xhaka captains the national side.

A tall, athletic central midfielder with a box-to-box profile, Zakaria is strong in the tackle and known for a high volume of recoveries. Switzerland won their UEFA group to qualify and were drawn in Group B with Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar, opening against Qatar in Santa Clara on 13 June. His ball-winning and carrying give Yakin's midfield energy and balance through the middle.

Zakaria is a tall, athletic central midfielder with a box-to-box profile. He is strong in the tackle and makes a high volume of recoveries, breaking up play before driving forward with the ball.

That engine lets him cover ground from one box to the other, and his carrying takes Switzerland from defence into attack. The role is built on physical output and ball-winning as much as on what he does in possession.

Zakaria brings a midfield engine to the Switzerland pick — a box-to-box runner strong in the tackle and quick to win the ball back. The Switzerland slot is a Tier 4 call at £10m, earned by topping their UEFA group, ahead of Group B games with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Canada.

When Zakaria is involved, the return is a midfield engine: covering ground from box to box, breaking up play and carrying Switzerland forward into attack.