2026 World Cup Group B preview, predictions

Group B at the World Cup presents hope.

canada/">Canada, hosting the men’s tournament for the first time alongside the U.S. and Mexico, hopes to have its best showing in history, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is riding high and hopeful after knocking Italy out of qualification to secure its place.

For Switzerland, they hope to finish first in the group, occupying the rare position of being the “big boy” among the four teams. Qatar hopes to turn things around after securing a spot in Asian qualification, following a disappointing showing on home soil in 2022.

Soccer is on the rise in Canada, and manager Jesse Marsch hopes to show it not just by getting the first-ever point at a men’s World Cup for Canada, but getting out of the group for the first time. The rise in player quality makes that goal seem reasonable, even if their history doesn’t back it up.

Key players: Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, Stephen Eustaquio

Bosnia certainly took the long road to World Cup qualification, earning a place in March’s playoff and then winning penalty shootouts in both games, notably spoiling what many thought would be a Canada-Italy opener by putting the Italians out of the tournament. Now that they’re here, they’ll look to show they belong.

Key players: Edin Džeko, Sead Kolašinac, Esmir Bajraktarević

Qatar did just enough to qualify, though it had the benefit of hosting the fourth round on home soil. Since then, Qatar has struggled, failing to win its next five matches and coming into the tournament with a lot of questions about a group that also stalled in the group stage on home soil last time around.

Key players: Almoez Ali, Abdulaziz Hatem, Hassan Al-Haydos

Switzerland came through its World Cup qualification group undefeated, perhaps something it should get more credit for after Kosovo impressed in the playoff and Sweden eventually earned a place in the tournament. It’s an experienced group that defends well and can score in bunches.

Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Toronto, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

Qatar vs. Switzerland – San Francisco Bay Area, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

• Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

• Canada vs. Qatar – Vancouver, 6 p.m. ET – FS1

Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Los Angeles, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

Canada vs. Qatar – Vancouver, 6 p.m. ET – FS1

• Canada vs. Switzerland – Vancouver, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

• Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar – Seattle, 3 p.m. ET – FS1

Canada vs. Switzerland – Vancouver, 3 p.m. ET – Fox

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar – Seattle, 3 p.m. ET – FS1

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

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MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

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Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

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SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

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Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

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Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California

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Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

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Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group B: Preview, predictions, schedule