San Diego might not be hosting any of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup matches, but there was still some international soccer spirit on display Saturday afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium.
In a final tune-up before both teams begin World Cup play next week, the Australian national team and Switzerland’s national squad played to a 1-1 draw in front of a crowd of 6,107 fans.
The match’s first goal, and the only one of the first half, came from Swiss winger Dan
Ndoye via a right-footed kick to the center-right portion of the net at the 14-minute mark, giving his side the 1-0 lead. Ndoye’s teammate and team captain, midfielder Granit Xhaka, was credited with the assist.
The Australians, also known as the Socceroos, made their comeback in the second half. In the 56th minute, the club leveled the score at one goal apiece by way of a right-footed shot by striker Tete Yengi that found the back of the net. Midfielder Connor Metcalf picked up the assist.
Neither side scored again; by coincidence the last time the two sides played a friendly, in September 2010, that match ended in a scoreless draw.
On Saturday, the Swiss maintained possession for 68% of the time and registered seven shots, with three of them on target — a more aggressive footing than Australia, who only had three shots overall, though two were on target.
As is generally the case with pre-World Cup friendlies, each team was using the match to keep its players sharp, and maybe for some to shake off some rust, before World Cup play begins on June 11.
Each team also went to its bench to get playing time for members of their respective rosters who might not get much action otherwise, just in case they’re needed at some point during the tournament. Australia specifically started the match with an experimental lineup featuring younger, less experienced players.
During the post-match press conference, Australia Men’s National Team coach Tony Popovic said that he was content with his side’s play, as well as the match’s final outcome.
“We got what we wanted from the exercise. We’re ready for next week,” he commented, adding that the unconventional lineup served its purpose, which was “to have them ready and available when required.”
“If we don’t expose our players to this, we don’t evolve, we don’t improve,” he said. “You want your players to be ready and the players that came on made an impact.”
Swiss Men’s team national coach Murat Yakin complimented the opposing side, saying that Australia is a strong team and conceded that his side made some mistakes. But overall, he, like Popovic, was satisfied due primarily to one thing.
“No injuries,” he said.
Notes: Snapdragon hosts another international friendly on Sunday, as Colombia faces
Jordan at 4 pm. World Cup co-hosting nation Mexico will have both of the event’s opening matches on Thursday, with its own national team facing off against South Africa at noon PST in Mexico City; later that day, Czhechia will take on South Korea in Zapopan, in Jalisco state.
Both Switzerland and Australia will open Cup play on June 13; the Swiss have a noon match against Qatar in Santa Clara, while the Socceroos tackle Turkey at 9 p.m. in Vancouver, Canada. That same day at 6 p.m., the U.S. men’s team opens group play against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
