CHICAGO (June 2, 2023) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri will join the Switzerland National Team for two upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying matches in June. The Chicago Fire Designated Player will join the Swiss National Team following the MLS regular season match against the Columbus Crew on June 10. Â
Switzerland has been drawn into Group I of EURO 2024 qualifying along with Romania, Kosovo, Andorra, Israel and Belarus. Shaqiri and Switzerland resume qualifying against Andorra at 1:45 p.m. CT on Friday, June 16, at the Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, Andorra. The Swiss Men’s Nati then hosts Romania at 1:45 p.m. CT on Monday, June 19 at the Swissporarena in Lucerne, Switzerland.Â
Shaqiri has earned 112 caps and scored 27 goals for Switzerland, most recently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he became only the third player in the tournament to score in three consecutive World Cups after tallying in the 3-2 win against Serbia. A four-time FIFA World Cup veteran, Shaqiri has also participated in the UEFA EURO Championships in 2016 and 2020, as well as the Nations League.Â
His 112 matches played for Switzerland are tied for third place with Alain Geiger (112 caps from 1980-1996), behind only Heinz Hermann (118 caps from 1978-1991) and teammate Granit Xhaka (113 caps). Â
Shaqiri joined the Chicago Fire ahead of the 2022 MLS season, making his MLS debut on Feb. 26 in the scoreless draw against Inter Miami CF in the first game of the regular season. Since then, Shaqiri has played in 40 matches for the Fire (36 starts) and was named 2022 Chicago Fire FC Most Valuable Player.
