5 players to watch during the European playoffs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

#4 Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)

Switzerland v Poland - Round of 16: UEFA Euro 2016

Switzerland were quite unlucky during their 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign. Despite winning their first nine matches, they had to decide their fate in the final contest of the group stage against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. And a 0-2 loss forced them to settle with a playoff berth, where they will face Northern Ireland.

The Swiss side have several interesting players on their squad such as Ricardo Rodriguez, Roman Burki and Haris Seferovic, among others. But the team's most decisive player should be Xherdan Shaqiri. The former Bayern Munich and current Stoke City playmaker is the team's most important playmaker, and he is usually the one pulling the strings on the side in the final third.

His creativity in the final third is one of his best aspects and, even though he might struggle a bit with the physicality of the opposing defenders, he is quite used to that since he has been playing in the Premier League for a decent amount of time now. He can battle that with his pace and skill.

Considering Northern Ireland are likely to play with a defensive style, Switzerland will need creativity to penetrate the opposing defensive line. And while the attackers need to be sharp and the defence needs to be at their best, Shaqiri will be extremely important.

He must carry the team on his back and show his teammates the way if Switzerland want to clinch another World Cup appearance.