FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B: Switzerland to come out on top

Group B at the FIFA World Cup looks like it will be an interesting tussle for qualification. It features co-hosts Canada, who will come up against Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2022 hosts Qatar and Switzerland.

I think this is one of a few groups in which it is hard to predict how it will pan out in terms of the ranking, but that only makes predicting all the more fun. You will find my World Cup Group B predictions below.

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Canada

FIFA world ranking: 30

To win the group: 5/2

Jesse Marsch, one time Leeds United boss, is leading Canada into their second consecutive finals. Of course, as a co-host they were fast-tracked but they will be hoping that the home advantage can help them to have a fruitful campaign.

Les Rouges lost all three of their group games in Qatar, so they are expected to see some improvement in 2026, but Group B does look a tricky one.

Marsch is yet to name his squad for the tournament but there are some stars who look to be non-negotiables, including attackers Jonathan David, the Canucks' all-time top scorer, and Cyle Larin, who has just had a bright second half of the season with Southampton.

One big question mark surrounds Alphonso Davies, arguably the biggest Canadian profile in the sport. The Bayern Munich man has been ravaged by injuries this season and he has recently suffered another hamstring issue, which is set to keep him out for several weeks.

This affects both his and Marsch's plans for the World Cup but it remains to be seen if the latter will gamble and name Davies in his squad.

Key player: Jonathan David

Davies would've been my first choice for this label but with his participation uncertain, I have to give it to David. He's Canada's leading scorer with 39 goals and his contributions in front of goal are going to be pivotal if Les Rouges are to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

Prediction: I think being at home and surrounded by their supporters, Canada have an excellent opportunity to get themselves past the group stage. I don't think they'll top the group but I think second or third (with eight places up for grabs via this route) seems realistic for them.

Football Odds

Bosnia-Herzegovina

FIFA world ranking: 65

To win the group: 5/2

Bosnia-Herzegovina had a strong qualifying campaign. They lost just one of their group fixtures but they finished two points behind Austria and had to go through the play-offs.

First, they took down Wales, before defeating Italy in the final. The Azzurri are now missing a third consecutive World Cup finals as a result. Bosnia are now back on the biggest stage since 2014.

They are the lowest-ranked European qualifier but this won't shake the Dragons. They have good momentum heading into the tournament and they certainly have what it takes to ruffle some feathers in Group B.

Key player: Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko is still going strong at 40 years of age. He will be Bosnia's source of inspiration at the World Cup because he is their all-time leader for appearances (148) and goals (73).

There is going to be a lot of responsibility on his shoulders because the rest of the squad lacks experience, so most of the hard work will likely come his way.

The team is built to play a counter-attacking style, so this means getting the ball into the front man and his strike partner early, so expect plenty of crosses for the Schalke striker to feed off.

He bagged nine goals in 15 qualifiers, so he is showing that age is just a number.

Prediction: I don't think Dzeko will be enough to see Bosnia win the group, but he can certainly help the Dragons reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. I think it will be a shoot-out between them and Canada for second, but a decent points return could seem the progress in third, with eight places up for grabs through this pathway.

World Cup Odds

Qatar 

FIFA world ranking: 55

To win the group: 28/1

Former Spain and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui has been in charge of Qatar for over a year and he led The Maroon One to their first finals on merit, qualifying as the top team in their group. They needed to go through three rounds to get to this point but the supporters won't care as back-to-back finals appearances is an excellent achievement.

His UEFA Europa League success with Sevilla in 2019/20 will be an asset to Qatar in Group B as they bid to make history. I've mentioned it's a competitive group but with someone as experienced as Lopetegui at the helm, can they truly be written off?

Qatar like to play a brand of possession-based football. This can cause problems for their rivals but it can sometimes be their undoing because there is a lack of physicality in their ranks.

Key Player: Akram Afif

Winger Akram Afif is the joint-third top scorer in Qatar's World Cup squad with 41. He's a superstar in his homeland, having won several league titles and other pieces of silverware with Al Sadd.

He's been the top scorer and leading provider on multiple occasions and these talents will be crucial for The Maroon One if they are to progress from Group B. I think Lopetegui will look to build his team so that it gets the best out of Afif.

Prediction: I may have said not to write Qatar off before a ball is kicked but given who they are up against, I think it's going to take something special for them to finish above fourth.

Lopetegui is a good manager but he can only do so much. There are players who can have an impact in this team but given they only managed one goal on home turf four years ago, I'm finding it difficult to see a drastic improvement.

Switzerland

FIFA world ranking: 19

To win the group: 10/11

Switzerland are gearing up for a sixth straight appearance at the World Cup finals. The Nati have never gone past the quarter-finals, however. They will look to change that in North America, but it may appear to be another challenging task.

Boss Murat Yakin leads Switzerland into a third consecutive tournament, having been in charge for the 2022 World Cup and more recently Euro 2024. The Swiss reached the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively, so they will be expected to at least reach the round of 32 this summer.

The Rossocrociati went unbeaten in qualifying (W4 D2) and topped their group. They should be full of confidence coming into Group B. I think they are the strongest team of the four, but they cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.

Switzerland used a 3-4-3 system at the Euros but they have since reverted to a 4-3-3, which is likely what we will see from them in North America.

There is plenty of experience in this team, which is only going to help their cause. A respectable first season in the Premier League (eight goals) with Leeds United may just help Noah Okafor take more responsibility in front of goal, with just two goals to date in 24 appearances.

Key Player: Granit Xhaka

If you've ever read any of my copy on this website that mentions Granit Xhaka, you'll know how much of a fan I am of the midfielder. He is going to be the beating heart in Switzerland's midfield.

He's just had another year back in the Premier League after joining Sunderland last summer. He instantly became their captain and helped lead the Black Cats to comfortable mid-table in their first season back in the top-flight.

Xhaka offers a lot to his team in both defence and attack, and I think he will be their beacon in North America.

Prediction: It's an interesting group on paper but I do think Switzerland are the strongest team in the four. They have a lot of experienced heads who have been regularly competing in international tournaments and this should be the difference that sees them finish first in Group B.

Their unbeaten run in qualifying also highlights the threat they possess, so they should be able to at least make to the knockout stage. However, I'm not expecting them to venture past the round of 16.

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