World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel
Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will be hoping to help Switzerland reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the seventh consecutive time at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Name: Gregor Kobel
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nation: Switzerland
International debut: 1 September 2021
Caps: 20
Stats correct as of 5 June 2026
How was his 2025/26 campaign?
Kobel played a pivotal role in Dortmund’s second-place finish under head coach Niko Kovač. The 28-year-old kept a league-high 15 clean sheets and saved nearly three quarters of attempts on his goal in 2025/26 (72.4 percent), helping BVB end the season with the stingiest defence in the league.
The Zürich native played every minute of his side’s campaign, encompassing 47 appearances in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League. He also captained Dortmund on seven occasions in the absence of first-choice skipper Nico Schlotterbeck.
What he brings to the national team
More clean sheets! Kobel, who succeeded former Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayern Munich keeper Yann Sommer as Switzerland’s No.1 in 2024, conceded only two goals during Die Nati’s World Cup qualifying campaign. Among all goalkeepers to start at least six qualifying games, Spain’s Unai Simón is the only other stopper to concede just twice.
The former Hoffenheim, Augsburg and VfB Stuttgart custodian recorded four consecutive shut-outs in Switzerland’s opening four Group B games, keeping out Kosovo, Slovenia (x2) and Sweden before being beaten by Benjamin Nygren in a 4-1 victory over the Blågult in November last year.
What his coaches say
“Gregor has done incredibly well to force his way into the side. He made the odd appearance before that, but that wasn’t enough for him. I’m incredibly pleased for him. He’s earned his place in the national team through his performances.” - Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin
“He’s done fantastically well here, even before I arrived. We have a great goalkeeper in our ranks. He radiates calmness and composure, and saves what he has to save. If he has to pull off a superhuman stop, he’s capable of doing that too.” - Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač
