Why is Serbia vs Switzerland a rivalry?
SERBIA and Switzerland have a storied rivalry and Group G is expected to be delicious when the two clash in Qatar.
Five-time world champion Brazil and Cameroon make up the rest of the group.
While most international rivalries stem from the border with another country, Switzerland is over 1000 kilometers northwest of Serbia.
The reason for their rivalry has a much deeper meaning.
Why is Serbia vs Switzerland a rivalry?
The story begins with Kosovo, a former Serbian province to which many Swiss have had to flee, including the former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri and the Arsenal midfielder Granite Xhakas Family.
Both players, who claim to be of Kosovo Albanian heritage, made headlines at the 2018 World Cup after celebrating their goals by depicting the black eagle on the Albanian flag.
FIFA had to intervene and start disciplinary proceedings after the Serbian FA lodged a formal complaint.
Xhaka admitted the celebration was for his ‘people’, explaining: ‘It was for my people who have always supported me. For those who have not neglected me, in my homeland, where my parents’ roots lie. Those were pure emotions.”
Shaqiri declined to explain the celebration, saying: “Unfortunately, I can’t speak about the gesture. We are footballers, not politicians… Footballers are sometimes overcome by emotion and there was a lot of emotion out there.”
Tensions remain high as Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo as independent, leaving many of those who fled to Switzerland angry.
One would expect all the tensions, politics and emotions to be laid bare on December 2 when the two sides meet in Qatar.