The 2026 World Cup is almost here, and we're previewing the entire tournament!
Next up is Group B, with host nation Canada looking for their first-ever World Cup win and Switzerland looking to make this the year they finally make a deep run in the world's biggest sporting event.
You can catch up on all the other groups here:
Ben Wright
TEAMS: Canada 🇨🇦 | Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦 | Qatar 🇶🇦 | Switzerland 🇨🇭
Canada 🇨🇦
FIFA World Ranking: 30
Like Mexico, Canada didn't have to go through the qualifying process as one of the hosts, but they're coming into the tournament in red-hot form. After losing a Concacaf Nations League semifinal to Mexico in March 2025, they've only lost one of their last 15 matches and enter the tournament with some real belief that they could do something special.
Head coach Jesse Marsch, at one point tapped to lead the United States, has imbued this side with his trademark grit and bite, but they also have some real quality on the pitch. Based out of a 4-4-2, they press high and look to do most of their damage in transition.
They'll be an underdog in any match they play outside of the group stage, but with the backing of passionate Canadian fans, they'll back themselves against anyone.
How they qualified: Automatic
Best-ever finish: Group stage (1986, 2022)
Odds to win World Cup: +20000
Key player: Left back Alphonso Davies is genuinely one of the best players in the global game and the face of this team. The Vancouver Whitecaps academy product is injured, though, and won't play Canada's opening match.
X-factor: 23-year-old Ismaël Koné has emerged as an intriguing midfield, both for club and country. The Sassuolo man is a modern box-to-box No. 8, able to do all the defensive work while adding real quality in possession.
What’s their ceiling? They should have more than enough to get through the group, and if the bracket shapes up favorably, they could make a push to the Quarterfinals.
Projection: Canada will finish second in the group, pulling off an upset win over Mexico in the Round of 32 before exiting to Germany in the Round of 16.
Fun fact: Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined! The country has roughly 2 million of them, holding about 20% of the world's fresh surface water.
Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦
FIFA World Ranking: 65
Bosnia & Herzegovina enter just their second-ever World Cup as the lowest-ranked European team, winning penalty shootouts against Wales and Italy to sneak into the tournament.
Bosnia play chaotic and reactive soccer, absorbing pressure and looking to hit opponents in transition or on set pieces. They're a mix of some veteran leaders with plenty of experience and a handful of exciting young players, and they've proved in qualifying that they're able to hang in a scrap. While they won't be anyone's pick to make a deep run, they'll be a team no one is particularly excited to play.
How they qualified: Winners of UEFA playoffs
Best-ever finish: Group stage (2014)
Odds to win World Cup: +50000
Key player: Striker Edin Džeko is one of the great strikers of the last decade. After winning two Premier League medals with Manchester City, he's bounced around to Roma, Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Fenerbahçe, and most recently Schalke 04, with whom he earned promotion from the 2. Bundesliga. At 40 years old, he's the top scorer and most-capped player in Bosnian history, and still has the quality to torment defenses.
X-factor: New England Revolution academy product Esmir Bajraktarević scored the winning penalty against Italy and has forced his way into real, meaningful minutes with his form for PSV. He's a wild card for this side going forward.
What’s their ceiling? They should have more than enough to get through the group, and if the bracket shapes up favorably, they could make a push to the Quarterfinals.
Projection: Canada will finish second in the group, pulling off an upset win over Mexico in the Round of 32 before exiting to Germany in the Round of 16.
Fun fact: Bosnian coffee culture is so distinct that UNESCO recognized it. Served in a copper džezva with a sugar cube on the side, it's closer to a ceremony than a beverage.
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Qatar 🇶🇦
FIFA World Ranking: 55
Qatar left the 2022 World Cup without a win, losing all three matches in a disastrous showing for the hosts. This cycle, they had to go through the full qualifying process, topping a group with Kuwait, India, and Afghanistan.
They made a big play in management, hiring former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui to take the program to a new level. They play a structured system and try to disorganize teams with the ball. Despite their progress, though, there's a clear talent gap, and they could leave this group again without a point.
How they qualified: Qatar finished on top of Group A in Asian qualifying, earning five wins and a draw from their six matches.
Best-ever finish: Group stage (2022)
Odds to win World Cup: +150000
Key player: Two-time Asian player of the year Akram Afif is one of the best players in Qatar history, and the primary protagonist of everything this team does.
X-factor: Almoez Ali is the top scorer in Qatar's history with 55 goals, but hasn't consistently converted chances against quality opposition. He'll need to be on point for this team to have a chance.
What’s their ceiling? They could make a miraculous push to the Round of 32, but that would be a shocking result.
Projection: Qatar will exit the tournament with another three losses.
Fun fact: Qatar is home to roughly 850,000 SUVs, more vehicles than there are Qatari citizens.
Switzerland 🇨🇭
FIFA World Ranking: 19
Switzerland are one of the most consistent sides in Europe, and have been in dark horse territory for the last several tournaments. This is their sixth-consecutive appearance at a World Cup, and the fourth for captain Granit Xhaka.
Under head coach Murat Yakin, they rely heavily on experience. 17 players on the roster were also in Qatar four years ago, and the veteran spine is the strength of the team, with 10 players having at least 50 caps.
Switzerland are the favorites for Group B, and have the 15th-best odds to win the entire tournament.
How they qualified: Switzerland topped Group B with four wins, two draws, and no losses.
Best-ever finish: Quarterfinals (1934, 1954)
Odds to win World Cup: +6500
Key player: 33-year-old captain Granit Xhaka impressed this year for Sunderland, pushing the side to a seventh-place Premier League finish. The all-time Swiss caps leader at 144, he's the heartbeat of the side.
X-factor: Midfielder Dan Ndoye broke out for Nottingham Forest this year, and his field-stretching pace adds a threat to opposing defenses.
What’s their ceiling? This Switzerland team is truly a dark horse. They could go as far as the Quarterfinals or Semifinals, and look capable of several upsets.
Projection: Switzerland will win the group rather comfortably and make a run to the Quarterfinals.
Fun fact: Switzerland has enough nuclear fallout shelter capacity for 114% of its population; every Swiss resident, plus visitors. It's been legally required for new residential buildings since 1963.
Group B Wrap
Predicted final standings
| Pos | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 2 | 🇨🇦 Canada | Advances to Round of 32 |
| 3 | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | Best-third-place contender |
| 4 | 🇶🇦 Qatar | Eliminated |
The match that decides it: Switzerland vs Canada
Best-third-place watch: It would take a pretty special showing from Bosnia to be able to advance as a third-place team, likely needing a win against Qatar and a result against Canada or Switzerland to have a real shot.
