Manuel Akanji
Switzerland is just one of the many nations where foreign-born players including a Nigerian, Manuel Akanji, make up a high proportion of their squads.
Attention was drawn to the multi-national nature of the squad when Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri infuriated Serbia fans by performing the Albanian Eagle celebration during their 2-1 win, reports The UK Sun..
There are eight foreign-born players in the Switzerland team, one of the highest in the tournament behind Tunisia, Senegal (both 9) and Morocco (17).
Three Swiss stars were born in Cameroon, with goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo, Francois Moubandje and Breel Embolo descending from the African nation.
Ivory Coast born Johan Djourou and Frankfurt midfielder Gelson Fernandes, who was born in Cape Verde, make up the African representation in the Swiss side.
Valon Behrami and Xherdan Shaqiri are both from Kosovo descent, with Blerim Dzemaili originating from the European nation of Macedonia.
There are some stars who were born in Switzerland but have connections to other nations through their relatives.
Arsenal star Granit Xhaka was born to Albanian Kosovian parents. His brother, Taulant Xhaka, represents Albania in international football, with the two competing against each other at Euro 2016.
Josep Drmic was born to Croatian parents, while Mario Gavranovic’s parents moved to Switzerland from Bosnia the year before the striker was born.
Haris Seferovic is of Bosniak origin after his parents were born in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Manuel Akanji was born to a Nigerian father, Denis Zakaria’s parents have heritage to both Sudan and Congo, while defender Ricardo Rodriguez has a Chilean mother. Below are the nationalities of Swiss players.
Francois Moubandje – Cameroon
Manuel Akanji – Nigeria
Breel Embolo – Cameroon
Haris Seferovic – Bosnia
Granit Xhaka – Albania, Kosovo
Valon Behrami – Albania, Kosovo
Yvon Mvogo – Cameroon
Ricardo Rodriguez – Spain, Chile
Blerim Dzemaili – Macedonia, Albania
Gelson Fernandes – Cape Verde
Denis Zakaria – South Sudan, Congo.
Mario Gavranovic – Bosnia, Croatia
Josip Drmic – Croatia
Johan Djourou – Ivory Coast
Xherdan Shaqiri – Albania, Kosovo
