Granit Xhaka's World Cup journey: From Arsenal jeers to Swiss triumphs

Granit Xhaka led the Swiss national team to a historic quarter-final berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic victory against Colombia on penalties on July 11, 2026, in Vancouver. Xhaka's emotional reaction, dropping to his knees and shedding tears of joy, highlighted his remarkable redemption from a troubled past at Arsenal.

From Derision to Determination: Xhaka's Arsenal Struggles

Just seven years prior, Xhaka faced significant criticism from fans during his tenure at Arsenal. His performances drew boos, particularly during a substitution in a match against Crystal Palace in October 2019. Following that incident, he provocatively cupped his ears to the crowd, leading to his demotion from captaincy under then-manager Unai Emery.

Despite this challenging phase, Xhaka persevered and transformed his career after Mikel Arteta took over. He won back the fans' support through strong leadership and impressive play, eventually leading Arsenal to an FA Cup victory in 2020.

Xhaka's Influential Role at Sunderland

Xhaka's journey took him to Bayer Leverkusen, where he played a crucial role in their league and cup double triumph. Returning to the Premier League with Sunderland last summer, he helped the club secure a surprising seventh-place finish, earning a spot in the Europa League for the upcoming season.

His leadership qualities were acknowledged by Theo Walcott, a former teammate, who noted, "You could always hear him... he was like that on day one." This commitment has drawn interest from clubs like Chelsea, but Xhaka chose to stay with Sunderland, reaffirming his dedication to the club.

Switzerland's Historic World Cup Journey

Switzerland's advancement to the quarter-finals marks a significant achievement for the team, with Xhaka playing a pivotal role. Following a rocky start with a draw against Qatar, they bounced back with a last-minute win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Xhaka scored a crucial penalty. He became only the second player to score at three World Cups, following Xherdan Shaqiri.

Next, Switzerland faces a challenging match against Argentina. Xhaka's belief in his team's potential is evident as he stated, "We’ve been waiting a long time for a group like this." With the support of Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who praised their historic achievement, the team aims to build on this momentum.