Co-hosts Canada face a challenging Group B lineup featuring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland as they prepare to host FIFA World Cup matches for the first time. The group features teams from Concacaf, UEFA, and the AFC, with Switzerland entering as the highest-ranked side and Bosnia and Herzegovina making their first World Cup appearance since 2014.
Canada – World Rank 30
Canada will make their third FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026 as co-hosts alongside Mexico and the USA, hosting matches for the first time. After previous appearances in 1986 and 2022, Jesse Marsch’s side will look to capitalise on home support and push beyond the group stage for the first time.
Jesse Marsch – The Coach
Appointed in May last year, Jesse Marsch was a pioneer during his playing career, featuring in Major League Soccer’s inaugural season in 1996. After making more than 300 top-flight appearances, he moved into coaching with spells at Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls before taking charge of clubs in Europe, including Salzburg, Leipzig, and Leeds United.
Alphonso Davies – The Main Man
Alphonso Davies is the face of Canadian football and one of the world’s most dynamic full-backs. Born in a refugee camp in Ghana to Liberian parents before moving to Canada, he rose through the ranks rapidly and became a global star with Bayern Munich. Known for his blistering pace, attacking flair, and versatility, Davies has played a key role in Canada’s resurgence on the international stage. However, Davies is currently recovering from a left hamstring strain and might miss out the first two games of the World Cup.
Nathan Saliba – The Shooting Star
After earning a place in Canada’s provisional squad for the 2024 Copa América qualifiers, Saliba received his first senior call-up later that year as an injury replacement and made his debut in a 2-1 win over the USA in September 2024. He was subsequently named Canada Soccer’s Young Player of the Year.
The 22-year-old Anderlecht attacking midfielder continued his rise in 2025, scoring his first international goal in Canada’s 6-0 Gold Cup win over Honduras.
Fixtures
12 June: vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Toronto Stadium
18 June: vs Qatar – BC Place, Vancouver
24 June: vs Switzerland – BC Place, Vancouver
World Cup Highlights
Canada will make their third World Cup appearance in 2026 after previous campaigns in 1986 and 2022, still chasing a first tournament win. Their defining World Cup moment came in Qatar when Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal just 67 seconds into the match against Croatia. Despite losing 4-1, the goal marked a historic milestone.
Prediction
Canada are among the stronger sides in Group B, along with Switzerland, and are likely to finish in the top two.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – World Rank 64
Bosnia and Herzegovina are set for only their second FIFA World Cup appearance after defeating Wales and Italy in the UEFA play-offs to qualify for 2026. Since becoming an independent nation in 1993, their only previous appearance came in 2014. Guided by coach Sergej Barbarez and captain Edin Džeko, the Bosnians arrive with renewed belief and ambition for the global stage.
Sergej Barbarez – The Coach
Sergej Barbarez built his reputation in German football, starring for clubs including Union Berlin, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg, and Bayer Leverkusen as a creative attacking midfielder. The former Bosnia and Herzegovina international scored 17 goals in 47 appearances before taking charge of the national team in 2024.
Edin Džeko – The Main Man
Edin Džeko remains the heartbeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina football and will enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the tournament’s oldest players at 40. The captain and record appearance holder has delivered countless milestones — from leading Bosnia to their first World Cup in 2014 and scoring their first World Cup win goal to becoming the nation’s all-time top scorer. Renowned for his strength, aerial dominance, and leadership, Džeko continues to defy age at the highest level.
Esmir Bajraktarević – The Shooting Star
Esmir Bajraktarević is among Bosnia and Herzegovina’s brightest young prospects heading into the 2026 World Cup. The 21-year-old winger, who switched allegiance from the USA in 2024, has quickly become an important figure after joining PSV and winning the Eredivisie title in his debut season. He scored his first international goal during qualifying and converted the decisive penalty against Italy that sealed Bosnia’s place at the World Cup.
Fixtures
12 June: vs Canada – Toronto Stadium
18 June: vs Switzerland – Los Angeles Stadium
24 June: vs Qatar – Seattle Stadium
World Cup Highlights
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014, when a golden generation featuring Miralem Pjanić, Edin Džeko, Sead Kolašinac, and Asmir Begović guided the nation to Brazil. After defeats to Argentina and Nigeria ended their knockout hopes, they signed off with a memorable 3-1 win over Iran — their first and only World Cup victory to date. That campaign remains a defining chapter in Bosnian football history.
Prediction
Though the world ranking might not be in their favour, the Zmajevi can certainly create an upset in Group B.
Qatar – World Rank 55
Qatar return for their second FIFA World Cup appearance after debuting as hosts in 2022. Having gained valuable experience on home soil, the Maroons have now qualified on merit for 2026 through their performances on the pitch.
Julen Lopetegui – The Coach
Julen Lopetegui took charge of Qatar in May 2025 and quickly guided the Maroons to their first-ever World Cup qualification through the regular route. The Spaniard brings vast experience, having coached Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and West Ham, while winning the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in 2020.
Akram Afif – The Main Man
Akram Afif is the face of modern Qatari football and one of Asia’s standout stars. A two-time Asian Footballer of the Year winner, the winger was instrumental in Qatar’s 2019 and 2023 AFC Asian Cup triumphs. Known for his creativity and goalscoring ability, Afif set an Asian Cup assist record in 2019 before starring again in 2023 with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final. He remains Qatar’s biggest attacking threat heading into 2026.
Al Hashemi Al Hussein – The Shooting Star
Still only 22, Al-Hussein is among Qatar’s emerging talents to watch at the 2026 World Cup. After representing his country at youth levels, including the AFC U-20 and U-23 Championships, he made his senior debut in 2024 during World Cup qualifying. The Alcoron B defender has since gained experience at regional tournaments and earned a place in Qatar’s final World Cup squad.
Fixtures
13 June: vs Switzerland – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
18 June: vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver
24 June: vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Seattle Stadium
World Cup Highlights
Qatar’s World Cup journey began in historic fashion in 2022 as they became the first host nation from the Gulf region to stage football’s biggest event. Despite defeats to Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands, ending their campaign without a point, the experience proved invaluable. Their defining moment came against Senegal when Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Prediction
Both Switzerland and Canada might prove to be tough opponents for Qatar, but the Maroons will surely go all out against Bosnia and Herzegovina in search of their maiden World Cup victory.
Switzerland – World Rank 19
Switzerland head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a flawless qualifying campaign, marking their sixth consecutive appearance and 13th overall. Led by captain Granit Xhaka — the nation’s record appearance holder and a veteran of three World Cups — Switzerland arrive as one of Group B’s most experienced sides.
Murat Yakin – The Coach
Murat Yakin, a former Swiss international with 49 caps, enjoyed a playing career with clubs including Grasshoppers, Fenerbahçe, Stuttgart, and Basel before moving into coaching in 2006. Appointed Switzerland head coach in 2021, he guided the team to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and followed it up with an impressive Euro 2024 run, eliminating Italy before narrowly losing to England on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Granit Xhaka – The Main Man
Granit Xhaka has been the heartbeat of Switzerland for over a decade, evolving into the nation’s record appearance holder and captain. After choosing Switzerland over Albania, he made his debut in 2011 and has since featured in multiple World Cups and European Championships. The former Arsenal and current Sunderland midfielder will be a key figure in the Nati’s engine room.
Ardon Jashari – The Shooting Star
Ardon Jashari is one of Switzerland’s rising midfield stars and could play an important role at the 2026 World Cup. The 23-year-old earned a high-profile move to AC Milan in 2025 after an outstanding spell in Belgium, where he swept multiple individual honours, including Player of the Year and the Golden Shoe. Since making his senior debut in 2022, Jashari has emerged as part of Switzerland’s next generation in midfield.
Fixtures
13 June: vs Qatar – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
18 June: vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Los Angeles Stadium
24 June: vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver
World Cup Highlights
Switzerland head into their 13th World Cup appearance in 2026 with a reputation for consistency, having reached the knockout stages regularly in recent decades. Their best finishes remain the quarter-finals in 1934, 1938, and 1954. Their most iconic World Cup moment came in the 1954 quarter-final against Austria — a chaotic 7-5 defeat in scorching conditions that remains the highest-scoring match in World Cup history. More recently, the Swiss reached the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022.
Prediction
They are the favourites to qualify from this group as table toppers.
Note: Information and background details used in this article have been sourced from FIFA.com.
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