International duty

HSV trio at the 2026 World Cup: “It makes us proud”

The World Cup gets underway on Thursday (11th June), with HSV players Miro Muheim, Luka Vuskovic and Sander Tangvik all involved. The three Rothosen and head coach Merlin Polzin have shared their thoughts ahead of the tournament.

The curtain is about to rise on the biggest stage in world football. This Thursday (11th June), the World Cup kicks off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The tournament will be held in Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11th June to 19th July – and Hamburger SV will be represented. After no HSV player was selected for the previous edition in Qatar in 2022, three Rothosen are now set to be involved: Miro Muheim (Switzerland), Sander Tangvik (Norway) and Luka Vuskovic (Croatia).

Childhood dream come true

“Playing at a World Cup has been a dream of mine since I was a child. Now I can hardly wait for it to begin. I’m really excited,” said HSV left-back Muheim, who will face Qatar, Bosnia-Herzegovina and hosts Canada with Switzerland in Group B. Their opening game takes place on Saturday (13th June) at 21:00 CEST. “Our aim is to reach the quarter-finals. We’ve never done that before. We have the quality to achieve it and an incredibly good team. We want to prove that at the World Cup,” added the 28-year-old, who has made nine appearances for Switzerland so far. He now wants to feature at the tournament, help his team and soak up the experience.

For personal reasons, Muheim is particularly looking forward to the third group game against Canada, which will be played in Vancouver on 24th June. Former HSV captain Sebastian Schonlau, who plays for the Whitecaps, has been living there for almost a year. Muheim played alongside him 94 times for the Rothosen. “I’m looking forward to seeing him again,” said the Zurich-born defender.

“Approach every game like a final”

Vuskovic and Croatia will take on England, Panama and Ghana in Group L. “We start against England and have to give our all. Then we’ll see what happens. Our group is a tough one, so we have to approach every game like a final. My personal aim is to play in every match,” said the centre-back, who is the youngest player in the 2018 World Cup finalists’ squad at the age of 19. He has won five caps for his country so far. “I’m excited for my first World Cup and really pleased to be part of it. It means a lot to me that I get to play alongside so many fantastic players and against other great players.”

While Muheim and Vuskovic have a strong chance of featuring at the tournament, Tangvik has been named in Norway’s squad as a back-up goalkeeper. The 23-year-old has been called up to Norway’s senior side for the second time and is still waiting to make his international debut. “It feels a bit surreal. I was very happy and also quite emotional when I was called up. I kept hoping right until the end. Not many Norwegian footballers get the chance to take part in a World Cup,” said Tangvik, with Norway set to appear at the tournament for only the fourth time. Norway will face Iraq, Senegal and France in Group I. That means there will be no direct meetings between the HSV players for now, although match-ups between two Rothosen could become possible from the round of 32 onwards.

“First and foremost, everyone at HSV is delighted for Miro, Sander and Luka that they will be involved at the World Cup. They have earned their place at the biggest tournament in football through their hard work and the performances they have delivered. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for them and wish them every success,” said HSV head coach Merlin Polzin. “At the same time, it is also a reflection of our daily work that HSV will be represented at the World Cup. It makes us proud.”

All World Cup fixtures involving HSV players:

Miro Muheim
13/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Qatar - Switzerland
18/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Switzerland - Bosnia-Herzegovina
24/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Switzerland - Canada

Luka Vuskovic
17/06/2026, World Cup group stage: England - Croatia
24/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Panama - Croatia
27/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Croatia - Ghana

Sander Tangvik
17/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Iraq - Norway
23/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Norway - Senegal
26/06/2026, World Cup group stage: Norway - France