2025–26 FC Zürich season
FC Zürich 2025–26 football season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2025–26 season is the 130th season in the history of FC Zürich, and the club's ninth-consecutive season in Swiss Super League. In addition to the domestic league, the team also participated in the Swiss Cup. They were eliminated in the second round.
Dennis Hediger (from 1 January)
| 2025–26 season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Mitchell van der Gaag (until 23 October) Dennis Hediger (from 1 January) |
| Stadium | Letzigrund |
| Swiss Super League | 8th |
| Swiss Cup | Second round |
It was Mitchell van der Gaag's first season as manager. He replaced Ricardo Moniz, who was sacked shortly after the end of the previous season.[1] Van der Gaag was sacked on 23 October, with Zürich in eighth position in the Swiss Super League. Dennis Hediger took over in the interim, and was named the permanent head coach on 1 January.
Pre-season
New signings included defensive midfielder Nelson Palacio, on loan from Real Salt Lake, and Guadaloupe forward Matthias Phaëton, on loan from CSKA Sofia.[2] Outbound went Ifeanyi Mathew and Rodrigo Conceicao (released), Nikola Katić (to Schalke), Labinot Bajrami (to Helmond), Ramon Guzzo (to Aarau), Fabian Gloor (to Schaffhausen), Daniel Afriyie (to Aarau), Joseph Sabobo (to Hapoel Be'er Sheva) and Daniel Denoon (on loan to Pisa).[2]
Results
On 30 May 2025, Zürich announced a pre-season friendly against SSV Ulm 1846 at the German club's Donaustadion. It was Zürich's final friendly prior to their first Super League fixture a week later.[3] On 4 June 2025, Zürich announced four friendlies preceding that with UIm: against Dietikon, Young Fellows Juventus, Rapperswil-Jona and Wil.[4] Another friendly, away to Magdeburg on 10 July, was also added.
| 21 June 2025 Friendly (45 minutes) | Zürich | 2–0 | Dietikon | Dietikon |
| 11:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Sportanlange Dornau |
| 21 June 2025 Friendly (45 minutes) | Zürich | 4–1 | Young Fellows Juventus | Dietikon |
| 12:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Sportanlange Dornau |
| 28 June 2025 Friendly | Rapperswil-Jona | 0–2 | Zurich | Rapperswil-Jona |
| 16:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Grünfeld Stadium |
| 10 July 2025 Friendly | Magdeburg | 0–2 | Zurich | Mindelheim |
| 14:00 CEST | Report | Stadium: Julius-Strohmayer Stadion |
| 20 July 2025 Friendly | Ulm | 3–0 | Zürich | Ulm |
| 15:30 CEST | Report | Stadium: Donaustadion |
Season proper
July
On 25 July, Zürich began the season by hosting Sion at the Letzigrund in Mitchell van der Gaag's first competitive game in charge of Zürich. Despite going 2–0 ahead, the visitors fought back to win 3–2. Steven Zuber and Damienus Reverson scored Zürich's goals.[5] Zürich sat in ninth place in the table after the first round of matches.
The following day, Colombian forward Juan Jose Perea and Serbian left-back Milan Rodić joined the club.[6][7] French forward Lisandru Tramoni followed on 27 July.[8]
August
On 2 August, Colombian defender Jorge Segura joined on a three-year contract.[9] The following day, Zürich drew 1–1 at Luzern, with Umeh Emmanuel equalising for the visitors. Zürich climbed to eighth place in the Super League table.[10]
Dutch defender Livano Comenencia and Senegalese forward Philippe Keny joined the club in early August.[11][12]
On 10 August, Zürich won 2–1 at Lausanne and climbed one place to seventh. Bledian Krasniqi and Jorge Segura scored the visitors' goals.[13]
Five days later, Zürich reached the second round of the Swiss Cup after a 2–0 victory at Wettswil-Bonstetten. Umeh Emmanuel scored both goals, bringing his tally for the season to three in four games.[14]
Zürich returned to league action on 23 August, losing 4–0 at home to newly promoted Thun. The hosts were placed seventh in the table after the match.[15]
A victory, 3–1 at nearby Winterthur on 30 August, kept Zürich in seventh place. Loanee Matthias Phaëton scored twice for the visitors, with Steven Zuber scoring the other goal.[16]
Zürich beat Servette 2–1 at the Letzigrund on 13 September, with both of the hosts' goals coming from Cheveyo Tsawa. Zürich finished the game with nine men, after the dismissals of Mohamed Bangoura and Ilan Sauter. They climbed to fourth with the three points.[17]
September
Stade Nyonnais knocked Zürich out of the Swiss Cup at the second-round stage on 21 September. The match at the Colovray Sports Centre finished 1–1, with Matthias Phaëton scoring for the visitors, but Stade Nyonnais won 3–1 on penalties.[18]
A third-consecutive victory in the Swiss Super League followed on 27 September, 3–1 at home to St Gallen. Steven Zuber, Philippe Keny (his first for the club) and Jahnoah Markelo scored Zürich's goals. They remained fourth in the table.[19]
October
The Zurich derby, on 4 October, ended with a 3–0 victory for Grasshoppers. Zürich dropped one place to fifth in the table.[20]
After a two-week international break, on 18 October, Zürich lost 1–0 at Lugano. The visitors slipped to eighth in the Super League.[21]
Manager Mitchell van der Gaag was sacked on 23 October, after club president Ancillo Canepa stated that he felt the team had "become stagnant".[22]
On 26 October, Zürich lost 3–2 at home to Young Boys.[23]
A loss followed on 29 October, 2–0 at Basel, leaving the club ninth in the Super League.
November
On 1 November, Zürich lost a fifth league game in a row, and their sixth in seven in all competitions, this time 2–1 at home to Lausanne. They dropped one place to tenth, fifteen points behind leaders Thun.[24]
Zürich came from two goals down to beat Luzern 3–2 at the Letzigrund on 8 November. The visitors were reduced to ten men in the second half. Zürich's goals, all in the second half, came from Jahnoah Markelo (penalty), Matthias Phaëton and Philippe Keny (penalty).[25]
On 23 November, Zürich drew 2–2 at Sion. Steven Zuber and Philippe Keny got the visitors' goals.[26]
Zürich beat Grasshopper 1–0 on 29 November. The goal came from Lindrit Kamberi after 20 minutes.[27]
December
A third win in four matches came at St Gallen on 6 December. Matthias Phaeton and Philippe Keny scored Zürich's goals in a 2–1 victory.[28]
On 13 December, Zürich drew 2–2 at home to Winterthur. Damienus Reverson and Philippe Keny scored the hosts' goals. Winterthur equalised in the 90th minute.[29]
Four days later, Zürich lost at home by a single goal to Lugano.[30]
On 19 December, it was announced that Dennis Hediger will be installed as the club's permanent head coach on 1 January, having taken over in an interim capacity three months earlier. The following day, Zürich lost 4–2 at Thun, having been two goals up. The visitors sat seventh in the table, with 24 points from a possible 57.[31]
January
On 1 January, midfielder Steven Zuber had his contract with the club terminated early.[32] The same month, the club terminated the contract of left-back Milan Rodić,[33] replacing him with Chris Kablan.[34] Centre-back Mariano Gómez moved to Ferencvárosi TC,[35] while left-back Nemanja Tošić signed for Anorthosis.[36]
Returning from the winter break, Zürich travelled to Geneva, where they drew 1–1 with Servette, despite having defender Lindrit Kamberi sent off in the second half. They placed eighth in the table with the point.[37]
Zürich lost 4–3 at home to Basel on 25 January. The hosts' goals came from Matthias Phaëton, Philippe Keny (penalty) and Damienus Reverson. They remained eighth in the table.[38] Despite their victory, Basel sacked their head coach, former Zürich left-back Ludovic Magnin, the following day.[39]
On 27 January, winger Jahnoah Markelo joined Coventry City for an undisclosed fee.[40] Two days later, defender Calixte Ligue joined Venezia.[41]
February
Zürich lost 3–0 at Young Boys on 1 February. The visitors dropped one place to ninth.[42]
On 3 February, forward Lisandru Tramoni had has contract with the club terminated.[43] Two days later, the club announced the signing of 32-year-old defender Alexander Hack.[44]
Zürich lost their fifth league game out of six on 8 February, a 2–1 scoreline at Basel, despite taking the lead.[45] They remained ninth in the table, with 25 points from 23 games.
On 11 February, Zürich secured their first victory in over two months with a 3–0 scoreline against bottom club Winterthur. Philippe Keny (two) and Nevio Di Giusto got the goals for Zürich, who climbed to eighth with the three points.[46] In the days before the match, Zürich signed Kosovan midfielder Valon Berisha and sold forward Vincent Nvendo.
Competitions
Swiss Super League
Matches
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 25 July 2025 Round 1 | Zürich | 2–3 | Sion | Zurich |
Zuber  27'Reverson 55' |
Report | Nivokazi 81' Lukembila 87'Boteli 90+1' |
Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 12,374 Referee: S. Wolfensberger (Switzerland) |
| 3 August 2025 Round 2 | Luzern | 1–1 | Zürich | Lucerne |
| Report | Stadium: Swissporarena |
| 10 August 2025 Round 3 | Lausanne | 1–2 | Zürich | Lausanne |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de la Tuiliere Attendance: 12,544 |
| 23 August 2025 Round 4 | Zürich | 0–4 | Thun | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 13,581 |
| 30 August 2025 Round 5 | Winterthur | 1–3 | Zürich | Winterthur |
| Report | Stadium: Stadion Schützenwiese Attendance: 8,700 |
| 13 September 2025 Round 6 | Zürich | 2–1 | Servette | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund |
| 27 September 2025 Round 7 | Zürich | 3–1 | St Gallen | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 13,949 |
| 4 October 2025 Round 8 | Grasshopper | 3–0 | Zürich | Zurich |
|
Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 17,329 Referee: Lionel Tschudi Assistant referees: Nico Gianforte (VAR) |
| 18 October 2025 Round 9 | Lugano | 1–0 | Zürich | Lugano |
| Report | Stadium: Stadio di Cornaredo Attendance: 4,450 |
| 26 October 2025 Round 10 | Zürich | 2–3 | Young Boys | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 15,596 |
| 29 October 2025 11 | Basel | 2–0 | Zürich | St. Jakob-Park, Basel |
| 20:30 | Traoré 13' (1:0) Vouilloz  42'Salah 50' (2:0)Salah 76' |
FCZ summary FCB summary |
12' Ligue 39' Comenencia |
Attendance: 27,073 Referee:  Lukas Fähndrich |
| 1 November 2025 Round 12 | Zürich | 1–2 | Lausanne | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 9,613 |
| 8 November 2025 Round 13 | Zürich | 3–2 | Luzern | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund Attendance: 13,762 |
| 23 November 2025 Round 14 | Sion | 2–2 | Zürich | Sion |
| Stadium: Stade de Tourbillon |
| 29 November 2025 Round 15 | Zürich | 1–0 | Grasshopper | Zurich |
| Stadium: Letzigrund |
| 13 December 2025 Round 17 | Zürich | 2–2 | Winterthur | Zurich |
| Stadium: Letzigrund |
| 17 December 2025 Round 18 | Zürich | 0–1 | Lugano | Zurich |
| Stadium: Letzigrund |
| 20 December 2025 Round 19 | Thun | 4–2 | Zürich | Thun |
| Stadium: Stockhorn Arena |
| 18 January 2026 Round 20 | Servette | 1–1 | Zürich | Geneva |
| Report | Stadium: Stade de Genève |
| 25 January 2026 Round 21 | Zürich | 3–4 | Basel | Letzigrund, Zürich |
| 16:30 | Phaëton 1' (1:0) Phaëton 2'Kény 43' (2:1)Reverson 64' (3:3)Kény 70'Di Giusto 74' |
FCZ summary FCB summary |
11' (1_1) Shaqiri 42' Ajeti 44' Shaqiri 45+3' (2:2) Shaqiri 51' (2:3) Otele 80' Koindredi 90+4' (3:4) Shaqiri |
Attendance: 18,878 Referee: Fedayi San (Gebenstorf) |
| 1 February 2026 Round 22 | Young Boys | 3–0 | Zürich | Bern |
| Report |
Third round
The fixtures and dates for the third round were announced on 20 December 2025.
| 8 February 2026 Round 23 | Basel | 2–1 | Zürich | St. Jakob-Park, Basel |
| 16:30 | Leroy 36' Shaqiri 90' (pen.)Salah 90+6' (2:1) |
FCB summary | 5' Sauter 16' (0:1) Sauter 85' Reverson 88' Comenencia 89' Nvendo 89' Palacio |
Attendance: 28,790 Referee: Urs Schnyder |
| 11 February 2026 Round 24 | Zürich | 3–0 | Winterthur | Zurich |
| Report | Stadium: Letzigrund |
League table at split
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thun | 33 | 24 | 2 | 7 | 75 | 37 | +38 | 74 | To championship group |
| 2 | St. Gallen | 33 | 17 | 9 | 7 | 64 | 40 | +24 | 60 | |
| 3 | Lugano | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 50 | 38 | +12 | 57 | |
| 4 | Basel | 33 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 51 | 45 | +6 | 53 | |
| 5 | Sion | 33 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 51 | 35 | +16 | 52 | |
| 6 | Young Boys | 33 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 65 | 60 | +5 | 48 | |
| 7 | Luzern | 33 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 64 | 61 | +3 | 40 | To relegation group |
| 8 | Servette | 33 | 9 | 13 | 11 | 57 | 57 | 0 | 40 | |
| 9 | Lausanne-Sport | 33 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 47 | 57 | −10 | 39 | |
| 10 | Zürich | 33 | 10 | 4 | 19 | 45 | 63 | −18 | 34 | |
| 11 | Grasshopper | 33 | 6 | 9 | 18 | 40 | 65 | −25 | 27 | |
| 12 | Winterthur | 33 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 35 | 86 | −51 | 19 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored 6) Away goals scored; 7) Draw.[47]
Notes:
- Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
Relegation group
| 2026 Round 34 | Lausanne-Sport | 3–0 | Zürich | Stade de la Tuilière, Lausanne |
|
FCZ summary | Referee: |
| 2026 Round 35 | Winterthur | 2–2 | Zürich | Schützenwiese, Winterthur |
|
FCZ summary | |
Referee: |
| 2026 Round 36 | Zürich | 2–1 | Grasshopper Club | Letzigrund, Zürich |
|
FCZ summary | |
Referee: |
| 2026 Round 37 | Luzern | 1–0 | Zürich | |
|
FCZ summary | Referee: |
| 2026 Round 38 | Zürich | 0–2 | Servette | Letzigrund, Zürich |
| FCZ summary | |
Referee: |
Final league table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thun (C) | 38 | 24 | 3 | 11 | 80 | 52 | +28 | 75 | Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round |
| 2 | St. Gallen | 38 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 72 | 47 | +25 | 70 | Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round[b] |
| 3 | Lugano | 38 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 59 | 42 | +17 | 67 | Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round |
| 4 | Sion | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 63 | 40 | +23 | 63 | |
| 5 | Basel | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 55 | 58 | −3 | 56 | |
| 6 | Young Boys | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 80 | 69 | +11 | 55 | |
| 7 | Luzern | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 76 | 66 | +10 | 53 | |
| 8 | Servette | 38 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 71 | 63 | +8 | 53 | |
| 9 | Lausanne-Sport | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 53 | 67 | −14 | 42 | |
| 10 | Zürich | 38 | 11 | 5 | 22 | 49 | 72 | −23 | 38 | |
| 11 | Grasshopper (O) | 38 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 48 | 74 | −26 | 33 | Qualification for the Relegation play-off |
| 12 | Winterthur (R) | 38 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 44 | 100 | −56 | 23 | Relegation to 2026–27 Swiss Challenge League |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head goal difference; 5) Head-to-head goals scored 6) Away goals scored; 7) Draw.[48]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Teams play each other three times (33 matches), before the league is split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six).
- St. Gallen won the 2025–26 Swiss Cup and qualified for the Europa League second qualifying round as cup winners. Since they finished in the top three, the second Conference League berth was passed to the fourth-placed team, Sion.
Swiss Cup
Matches
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 15 August 2025 First round | Wettswil-Bonstetten | 0–2 | Zürich | Bonstetten |
| 14:00 | Report |
| 21 September 2025 Second round | Stade Nyonnais | 1–1 (3–1 p) | Zürich | Nyon |
| Report | Stadium: Colovray Sports Centre |