When Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka takes to the Al Janoub Stadium pitch with Switzerland on Thursday morning it will be his third World Cup tournament at the age of 30. The Gunners midfielder is one of Murat Yakin's most experienced and best players in his 26-man squad and will play a key role in their journey in the Middle east.
Xhaka has made over 100 appearances for the Swiss national team after being handed his first cap over a decade ago at the age of 18 years, eight months and eight days. Now, with his importance at club level higher than ever, Xhaka will be hoping to lead his nation past the round of 16 for the first time since 1954 - they have crashed out in the last 16 in four of their previous five attempts.
They face one of the competition's favourites in Brazil in their second game, but they will fancy their chances of progressing as runners-up against Cameroon and Serbia.
