Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings together co-hosts Canada, European regulars Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar in a section where experience, home advantage and tactical discipline could all prove decisive.
The group gets underway on 12 June when Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, while Switzerland take on Qatar in the San Francisco Bay Area a day later.
While Switzerland arrive as the most established World Cup nation in the group, Canada will be determined to make home support count. Bosnia and Herzegovina return looking to build on their growing international profile, while Qatar hope lessons learned from hosting the 2022 tournament can help them make a greater impact this time around.
Canada
Canada enter their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance carrying both expectation and opportunity.
As co-hosts, the Canadians will have the backing of passionate home crowds and the advantage of familiar surroundings. Yet they remain in search of a first World Cup victory after previous appearances in 1986 and 2022 ended without a win.
Much of Canada’s optimism centres around a talented generation led by Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. Their pace, athleticism and ability to transition quickly from defence to attack have made Canada one of the most exciting teams in the CONCACAF region.
With Jesse Marsch in charge, the hosts will believe this is their best opportunity yet to make history on football’s biggest stage.
World Cup record: Played 6 | Won 0 | Drawn 0 | Lost 6 | Goals 2–13
Manager: Jesse Marsch
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City), Owen Goodman (Barnsley), Dayne St. Clair (Inter Miami)
Defenders: Moise Bombito (Nice), Derek Cornelius (Rangers), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Luc de Fougerolles (Dender EH), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Alfie Jones (Middlesbrough), Richie Laryea (Toronto), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split), Joel Waterman (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Norwich), Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal), Mathieu Choiniere (LAFC), Stephen Eustaquio (LAFC), Marcelo Flores (Tigres UANL), Ismael Kone (Sassuolo), Liam Millar (Hull), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto), Nathan-Dylan Saliba (Anderlecht), Jacob Shaffelburg (LAFC)
Forwards: Jonathan David (Juventus), Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise), Cyle Larin (Southampton), Tani Oluwaseyi (Villarreal)
Switzerland
No team in Group B arrives with more World Cup experience than Switzerland.
The Swiss are preparing for their 13th appearance at the tournament and have built a reputation as one of international football’s most reliable performers. Their three quarter-final appearances remain the best World Cup achievement among the four teams in this section.
Switzerland’s strength lies in their balance. Granit Xhaka remains the heartbeat of the midfield, while Manuel Akanji and Nico Elvedi provide leadership at the back. In attack, Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye and Zeki Amdouni offer multiple threats capable of deciding tight matches.
Tournament experience and squad depth make Switzerland slight favourites to top the group.
World Cup record: Played 41 | Won 14 | Drawn 8 | Lost 19 | Goals scored: 50 | Goals conceded: 64
Manager: Murat Yakin
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Marvin Keller (Young Boys), Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Yvon Mvogo (Lorient)
Defenders: Manuel Akanji (Inter Milan), Aurele Amenda (Eintracht Frankfurt), Eray Comert (Valencia), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Luca Jaquez (Stuttgart), Miro Muheim (Hamburg), Ricardo Rodriguez (Real Betis), Silvan Widmer (Mainz)
Midfielders: Michel Aebischer (Pisa), Christian Fassnacht (Young Boys), Remo Freuler (Bologna), Ardon Jashari (AC Milan), Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), Djibril Sow (Sevilla), Ruben Vargas (Sevilla), Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Denis Zakaria (Monaco)
Forwards: Zeki Amdouni (Burnley), Breel Embolo (Rennes), Cedric Itten (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest), Noah Okafor (Leeds)
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina continue their search for a breakthrough moment on the world stage.
This is only their second World Cup appearance, with their debut in 2014 still standing as the nation’s biggest achievement in international football.
Despite their limited World Cup experience, Bosnia possess enough quality to trouble any opponent. Veteran striker Edin Dzeko remains an influential figure, while Ermedin Demirovic arrives as one of the team’s leading attacking threats. In midfield, Benjamin Tahirovic and Armin Gigovic provide energy and creativity, while Sead Kolasinac adds valuable experience in defence.
Bosnia may enter as outsiders, but they have the talent to upset the established order.
World Cup record: Played 3 | Won 1 | Drawn 0 | Lost 2 | Goals 4–4
Manager: Sergej Barbarez
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Nikola Vasilj (St Pauli), Martin Zlomislic (Rijeka), Osman Hadzikic (Slaven Belupo)
Defenders: Sead Kolasinac (Atalanta), Amar Dedic (Benfica), Nihad Mujakic (Gaziantep), Nikola Katic (Schalke), Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo), Stjepan Radeljic (Rijeka), Dennis Hadzikadunic (Sampdoria), Nidal Celik (Lens)
Midfielders: Amir Hadziahmetovic (Hull), Ivan Sunjic (Pafos), Ivan Basic (Astana), Dzenis Burnic (Karlsruher), Ermin Mahmic (Slovan Liberec), Benjamin Tahirovic (Brondby), Amar Memic (Viktoria Plzen), Armin Gigovic (Young Boys), Kerim Alajbegovic (RB Salzburg), Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV)
Forwards: Ermedin Demirovic (Stuttgart), Jovo Lukic (Universitatea Cluj), Samed Bazdar (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Haris Tabakovic (Borussia Monchengladbach), Edin Dzeko (Schalke)
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Qatar
Four years after hosting the World Cup, Qatar return hoping to demonstrate how much they have grown as an international side.
Their debut tournament in 2022 ended without a point, but the experience gained from competing against elite opposition is expected to benefit a squad that has remained largely together.
Akram Afif remains the creative force behind the team, while Almoez Ali continues to lead the attack. The midfield pairing of Karim Boudiaf and Abdulaziz Hatem offers experience and balance, while Boualem Khoukhi provides leadership in defence.
Qatar may not begin as favourites, but they possess the cohesion and tournament experience to make life difficult for every opponent.
World Cup record: Played 3 | Won 0 | Drawn 0 | Lost 3 | Goals 1–7
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Salah Zakaria (Al Duhail), Mahmoud Abunada (Al Rayyan), Meshaal Barsham (Al Sadd)
Defenders: Hashmi Hussein (Al Arabi), Ayoub Alawi (Al Gharafa), Boualem Khoukhi (Al Sadd), Pedro Miguel (Al Sadd), Issa Laaye (Al Arabi), Lucas Mendes (Al Wakrah), Sultan Al-Brake (Al Duhail), Homam Al-Amin (Cultural Leonesa)
Midfielders: Mohammed Al-Manai (Al Shamal), Jassem Jaber (Al Arabi), Karim Boudiaf (Al-Duhail), Ahmed Fathi (Al Arabi), Abdulaziz Hatem (Al Rayyan), Assim Madibo (Al Wakrah)
Forwards: Tahseen Mohammed (Al Duhail), Edmilson Junior (Al Duhail), Almoez Ali (Al Duhail), Akram Afif (Al Sadd), Mohammed Muntari (Al Gharafa), Youssef Abdulrazzaq (Al Wakrah), Ahmed Alaa (Al Rayyan), Hassan Al-Haydos (Al Sadd), Ahmed Al-Janahi (Al Gharafa)
Fixtures
12 June 2026 – Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Toronto)
13 June 2026 – Qatar vs Switzerland (San Francisco Bay Area)
18 June 2026 – Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Los Angeles)
18 June 2026 – Canada vs Qatar (Vancouver)
24 June 2026 – Switzerland vs Canada (Vancouver)
24 June 2026 – Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar (Seattle)
Key group facts
- Switzerland are appearing at their 13th FIFA World Cup.
- Canada are seeking their first-ever World Cup victory.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina are making only their second appearance at the finals.
- Qatar return for their second World Cup after hosting the tournament in 2022.
- Three of the group’s six matches will be played in Canada.
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Switzerland enter Group B as slight favorites thanks to their experience, tactical discipline and proven tournament pedigree.
Canada’s home advantage could prove decisive, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver, where strong support is expected to create a difficult environment for visiting teams. Bosnia and Herzegovina possess enough quality to challenge for qualification, while Qatar’s continuity and international experience make them capable of springing surprises.
Like Group A, this section appears likely to be decided by narrow margins, with consistency across all three matches potentially proving more important than moments of brilliance.
