World Cup 2026 Group B Preview: Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar

Canada head into the 2026 World Cup with seemingly blinding optimism despite their history, and while I think they make it out of the group stage, Switzerland is the cream of the crop here. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar offer a bevy of trap games, one characterized by the relentless physicality of a grizzly bear, and the other through free form attacking. Here's what to know.

Canada (Les Rouges)

Coach Jesse Marsch

Hot take. Co-hosts, lots of talent, a relatively soft draw: this is the year Canada finally wins a World Cup game.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Canada has played in two World Cups, 1986 and 2022, and lost all six games. They've never won a World Cup match. They've never even notched a single point and they've scored two total goals."

Word from home. Canada has become a fierce soccer country, particularly over the last 20 years. With that said, sentiment is optimistic.

"We're not afraid. We believe on the day that we can win." Jesse Marsch, TSN

The story. The home press is fixated on Davies' hamstring. Hamstring injuries are notoriously finicky, and it seems like he'll eventually be ruled out for Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Davies is by far the most important player on the team, and they'll need him if they're going to do anything special.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer makes Canada the second-likeliest team in the group to advance, about 80 percent.

One thing to read. Alphonso Davies: How He's Evolved and What the Future Holds, ESPN (2022)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zmajevi, the Dragons)

Coach Sergej Barbarez

Hot take. Bosnia and Herzegovina is playing with house money, and I'm willing to bet they get at least one group stage win.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Bosnia's talisman Edin Džeko turned 40 in March. He's been around long enough that he won the 2012 EPL title alongside Vincent Kompany, who has been retired for six years and now coaches Bayern."

Word from home. Bosnia reaching a second-ever World Cup, via a playoff, has the country glowing. Coach Sergej Barbarez at the squad announcement:

"I want these emotions I feel to last forever, I'm proud of everyone." Sergej Barbarez, Dan.ba

The story. The home coverage treats qualification as a major triumph, with national pride restored under Barbarez. In his own words, Bosnia is “two years ahead of plan.”

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer gives Bosnia about a 63 percent chance of advancing, third-best in the group.

One thing to read. Nothing Can Stay Buried, ESPN The Magazine (2014).

Qatar (Al-Annabi, the Maroon)

Coach Julen Lopetegui

Hot take. Qatar won't go through, but they will be undeniably watchable throughout the group stage.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Qatar is built around Akram Afif's ticket to ride. Lopetegui has given him the license to roam all over the pitch, the kind of free role almost nobody gets at a World Cup anymore."

Word from home. No false hopes, but also no white flags.

"we know our reality, but that doesn't mean surrendering." Julen Lopetegui, Aajeg

The story. The home story is disrupted preparation. Qatar's March friendlies against Argentina and Serbia were canceled over regional conflict and were never replaced.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer makes Qatar the group's weakest side, likelier to finish bottom (47 percent) than to reach the last 32 (44 percent).

One thing to read. Every Qatar conversation comes back to 2022, The Athletic (2026).

Switzerland (Die Nati)

Coach Murat Yakin

Hot take. Granit Xhaka spends 90 minutes trying to body-slam Tajon Buchanan in the Canada matchup, gets booked, and Switzerland win the group anyway.

One thing to know that'll make you sound smart to your friends. "Breel Embolo was born in Cameroon. At the 2022 World Cup he scored the game-winning goal against Cameroon, then in a poignant moment, raised his hands in respect without celebrating."

Word from home. Quiet Swiss confidence, dialed up.

"We have something big planned. The expectation is huge." Murat Yakin, Aargauer Zeitung

The story. The Swiss press calls this the most complete Nati in years. Yakin wants this to be the best Swiss team ever. With Kobel, Akanji, Xhaka and Embolo down the spine, if Nati beats Canada it's possible they don't lose a match in the group stage.

Head vs. heart. Opta's supercomputer makes Switzerland clear group favorites, an 85 percent shot at the knockouts and 42 percent to top the group.

One thing to read. Switzerland, Serbia, Kosovo, and Xherdan Shaqiri, The Guardian (2018).

Group B Fixtures to watch / predictions

Fixtures to watch.

• Fri, Jun 12: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Thu, Jun 18: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)
• Thu, Jun 18: Canada vs Qatar, 6:00 p.m. ET (FS1 / Telemundo)
• Wed, Jun 24: Switzerland vs Canada, 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX / Telemundo)

The call.