Hasler: Every call-up fills me with pride

Ahead of his nation’s upcoming FIFA Series matches, the Liechtenstein captain talks development, highlights and host cities.

• Nicolas Hasler is captain of the Liechtenstein national side
• His team is taking part in the FIFA Series 2026 in Rwanda
• The 109-cap international reflected on his career, chasing records and experiencing World Cup host cities

Nicolas Hasler has been one of the most recognisable faces of Liechtenstein’s national team for many years. The evergreen captain has 109 caps and seven goals to his name, making him one of Europe’s most experienced active internationals. He has also enjoyed spells at several MLS clubs – including a treble-winning season at Toronto FC in 2017 – and has made over 250 appearances for FC Vaduz, who currently sit top of the Swiss Challenge League, Switzerland’s second tier.

The central midfielder is now turning his attention to the national team and the FIFA Series in Rwanda. Liechtenstein kick off their campaign on 26 March against Tanzania in Kigali, before facing either Aruba or Macau three days later. Speaking with FIFA, the 34-year-old covered topics including the team’s development and World Cup Host Cities Toronto and Kansas City.

FIFA: Nicolas, at the end of March you will be taking part in the FIFA Series with your national side. How exciting is this format for you and your team-mates?

Nicolas Hasler: For us as a national team, it’s very exciting. In the past, we have often played against more established teams. This new format that FIFA has introduced, with opponents from other continents, is fascinating and we’re looking forward to it.

How have you been preparing and what targets are you setting for yourselves?

Preparing to travel to Africa was unusual in that we had a lot to take care of, like checking vaccination certificates and taking anti-malaria medication. It will be a long and exciting journey to another continent. We’re looking forward to getting to know a new country and a new culture and preparing as well as we can for this mini-tournament. Personally, I want to win every game and get to the final.

How do you look back on your World Cup qualifying campaign?

We had a tough group, but I still feel like we didn’t make the most of it. As a small nation, it’s always difficult for us to pick up points. But we set ourselves some objectives like scoring goals or frustrating our opponents. We could have done more on that front. We want to continue developing as a nation and a team and have more extended spells in possession. The FIFA Series will be ideal for that development process as it will give us the chance to play opponents of a similar level.

Last year, national coach Konrad Funfstuck said that rejuvenating the squad would be central to that development process. As captain, how have you experienced that?

The rejuvenation of the squad is a work in progress that’s been under way for a few years now. We have had a steady influx of new young players. We still have some experienced heads in the squad, too, which is important. National teams need hungry players who can develop in the side and then take on more responsibility later on. Friendlies are an important part of that. At the same time, you need some experienced players to guide the youngsters.

Where do you see the greatest potential for football to develop in Liechtenstein?

After several years in construction, our association now has a new campus with offices, new pitches and other facilities. I hope that this will unlock new potential to help us develop players and fast-track them into the national team. As I said, we are also trying to develop our style of play so that we don’t just defend but play a more active role in the game.

You have 109 international caps, the most of any current Liechtenstein player, and you are slowly approaching Peter Jehle’s record of 132 caps. Is that something that motivates you?

I get asked that question a lot, and I must say that I’m genuinely not at all interested in records. It was never my objective to reach a certain milestone. Of course, it’s nice to be getting close to the record and to still be playing for my country. I’m not focused on breaking Peter’s record. If I stay injury-free, if I’m still enjoying playing for the national side and if I’m getting close to the record, then we can talk again.

What does it mean to you to wear the national shirt and the captain’s armband?

It always fills me with pride. No matter how big or how small your country is, when you get a call-up and are lucky enough to represent your country on the international stage, it’s always something special. It’s still a huge honour for me to be the captain after all these years.

You played in MLS between 2017 and 2020. What do you remember most about that time?

The highlight was definitely winning the title with Toronto [in 2017]. I have my championship ring at home; it always reminds me of that time. We had a great team, played good football and won the treble consisting of the MLS Cup, Supporters‘ Shield and Canadian Championship. It was a wonderful time and the pinnacle of my career.

And what about off the pitch?

There were many amazing moments, as well as some difficult ones that, in retrospect, helped to make me the person I am today. As a German-speaking player, joining a team [Chicago Fire] that had Bastian Schweinsteiger was special and something not every footballer from Liechtenstein gets to experience. Sharing the pitch with him and then, later on, playing in his testimonial in Munich is something I will always remember fondly.

You played in two of the Host Cities for this year’s World Cup, Toronto and Kansas City. What can players and fans look forward to there?

Both cities are crazy about their sport. Toronto has big teams in the NHL, the NBA, MLB and, of course, MLS, which has grown a lot in recent years. It’s a very interesting city, culturally speaking. My wife and I fell in love with the city. Any fan that flies to Toronto to watch a match will get to feel the energy that the city radiates. And it’s exactly the same in Kansas City. The stadiums were always full; the fans had fun and made a lot of noise. The World Cup stadium there is unbelievable and has shown in the past, through American football, what kind of atmosphere it can generate.

How satisfied are you with the season so far at FC Vaduz?

Very. There’s a reason we are where we are – we have worked hard for it. We have a strong team, great coaching staff and we’re playing attractive and efficient football. We deserve to be top of the table and we want to stay there until the end of the season, and hopefully seal promotion.

Your father Rainer, who passed away in 2014, was one of Liechtenstein’s most celebrated players. How close were you and what did he pass on to you?

We were very close. His passing was very hard for me and the whole family. I think about him before every game and hope that he is looking down on me from above and that he’s proud of what I’ve achieved so far. He always encouraged me to work hard on myself and not to let setbacks get me down. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved – and he of course played a huge part in that.