The Switzerland women’s national football team surprised onlookers during a training session in Zurich by stepping onto the pitch wearing the jerseys of their very first youth clubs instead of standard national team gear, 20 Min reported.
The team’s official social media channel acknowledged the gesture on Instagram with a heart emoji, noting the spezielle Outfits im heutigen Training
as players returned symbolically to their developmental roots.
From Konolfingen to Höngg: Inside the Grassroots Kits
The training pitch featured a vibrant cross-section of Swiss regional football history. Forward Alisha Lehmann took part in the session wearing the light blue and white jersey of FC Konolfingen, where her organised career began, as detailed by BERN-OST and nau.ch. Veteran forward Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic represented FC Steffisburg, while defender Nadine Riesen wore the kit of FC Bühler. Midfielder Géraldine Reuteler donned the shirt of FC Stans, Viola Calligaris represented FC Giswil, and Coumba Sow participated in the training session wearing the colours of SV Höngg. Goalkeeper Livia Peng also brought regional representation from Graubünden onto the training pitch, as noted by Südostschweiz.
Stakes in the Upcoming World Cup Playoffs Against Israel
The symbolic return to youth club roots arrives at a critical juncture for the Swiss squad, as head coach Rafel Navarro prepares his players for a two-legged World Cup playoff tie. The team travels to face Israel in Hungary on Friday for the opening leg of the first playoff round, with the return fixture scheduled for October 13 in Sion, Switzerland. Should the Swiss side advance past Israel, they will face either Austria or Kosovo in the second round as they pursue qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
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