Switzerland coach Koebi Kuhn selected uncapped midfielder David Degen in his 23-man World Cup squad Monday and dropped experienced playmaker Hakan Yakin.

Kuhn also picked star striker Alexander Frei _ who scored two goals at the weekend with Rennes _ and Arsenal defenders Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou.

Yakin, whose form late in the season with Swiss club Young Boys put him in contention, is one of five players on standby.

Switzerland Squad:

Goalkeepers: Pascal Zuberbuehler (Basel), Diego Benaglio (CD Nacional), Fabio Coltorti (Grasshoppers).

Defenders: Valon Behrami (Lazio), Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Johan Djourou (Arsenal), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Ludovic Magnin (VfB Stuttgart), Patrick Mueller (Olympique Lyon), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Ricardo Cabanas (FC Cologne), David Degen (Basel), Blerim Dzemaili (FC Zurich), Daniel Gygax (Lille), Xavier Margairaz (FC Zurich), Johann Vogel (AC Milan), Raphael Wicky (Hamburger SV).

Forwards: Alexander Frei (Rennes), Mauro Lustrinelli (Sparta Prague), Marco Streller (FC Cologne), Johan Vonlanthen (NAC Breda).