Gosens Defends Xhaka After Switzerland's Victory over Canada
June 26, 2026 · Global
Robin Gosens, a Fiorentina player who is also a commentator for ARD, defended Granit Xhaka after the criticism he received regarding Switzerland's performance at the World Cup.
Switzerland's win against Canada has ensured they take top spot in the group, and qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup for the fourth time in a row. This victory is expected to ease tensions following criticism of Granit Xhaka, who previously expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the opening match against Qatar which ended in a 1-1 draw.
In response to this situation, Robin Gosens, a Fiorentina player who acts as a commentator for German TV station ARD, was asked about the possibility of a negative atmosphere in the dressing room. Gosens responded, "How did they know there was a toxic atmosphere? I don't think anyone had any confidential information from the locker room."
Gosens also added, "These are titles that always attract attention, of course everyone likes to follow news like this. However, I have always been quite skeptical about it."
Furthermore, Gosens defended Xhaka by saying, "Everyone depends on him to determine the position on the field. He is an extension of the coach on the field, and that is very important."