Match Preview: North Macedonia vs Switzerland

North Macedonia is set to host Switzerland in the opening match of Group B1 in the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 on September 27, 2026, at 01:45 AM. The match is particularly noteworthy as both teams have shown contrasting forms since the 2026 World Cup.

North Macedonia enters the match struggling with poor performance, having not won any of their last five games. This includes four matches where they failed to score and suffered heavy defeats against Denmark, Wales, and most recently, Turkey. Their attack has been ineffective, and defensive errors have plagued the team. However, they will take some comfort in their home ground advantage, as they remain unbeaten in their last eight official matches at home.

On the other hand, Switzerland has demonstrated a significantly stronger foundation. They topped Group B in the 2026 World Cup and advanced past Algeria and Colombia before being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina. This achievement highlights the quality and organization of the team under coach Murat Yakin. Notably, Switzerland will be without their captain Granit Xhaka, who is absent due to issues related to a COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Additionally, Aurèle Amenda and Denis Zakaria will also miss the match due to fitness concerns.

Despite North Macedonia's home advantage, their lack of consistency and effectiveness in attack raises concerns. While the absence of Xhaka will affect Switzerland's midfield, the overall quality and recent form of the Swiss team still place them in a favorable position. Therefore, Switzerland is expected to secure all three points in Skopje.

Head-to-Head History

This will be the first encounter between North Macedonia and Switzerland in an official match.

Latest Team News

North Macedonia will field their optimal lineup, while Switzerland will be without Xhaka, Amenda, and Zakaria for various reasons. The expected lineups are as follows:

• North Macedonia (3-4-1-2): Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Velkovski, Fetai; Despotovski, Elezi, Atanasov, Alioski; Elmas; Miovski, Omeragic
• Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Comert, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Jashari; Sow, Rieder, Ndoye; Amdouni

In terms of statistics, both teams have shown a tendency to score in recent matches. Six out of ten home games for North Macedonia and seven out of ten for Switzerland have seen at least one goal from each side. Additionally, the last 30 minutes of matches have frequently seen goals, with six out of eight recent games for North Macedonia and five out of six for Switzerland featuring goals during this period.

Given the current circumstances, a predicted scoreline of North Macedonia 1 - 3 Switzerland seems plausible, with Switzerland expected to capitalize on their superior form and experience.