2026 World Cup Group B Guide: Teams, schedule, key player

Co-hosts Canada are in Group B and placed among the previous hosts, as well as two tricky European contenders. 

DAZN News takes a look at Group B, as we look at the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026. 

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

Group B - at a glance 

• Canada 
• Qatar
• Switzerland 
• Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Fixtures
 

 

Predicted qualifiers 

Canada will fancy their chances of progressing above previous hosts Qatar and alongside the Swiss, who are always a difficult side to beat. Much will depend on who is the last remaining team to make up the group. 

The Teams 

Canada  

World Ranking: 29
Best World Cup:  Group stage 1986, 2022 

A second successive World Cup for the co-hosts, who will play their group games on home soil in Toronto and Vancouver as they look to progress to the knockout stages for the very first time. 

Thanks to the tournament's expansion and a manageable group, they've never had a better chance of experiencing knockout World Cup football and have been in encouraging form ahead of the finals.

Jesse Marsch's team have only lost two games in the past year, and notched up notable wins over Romania and Wales last year, proof of the evolution of these Candian team. 

They remain reliant on the key names, but it's a team that's ready to make history this summer. 

Key man - Jonathan David 

One thing Canada have is a goalscorer, with the Juve man already having scored 37 times for his country and enjoyed a credible first season with the Serie A giants. 

Manager  -  Jesse Marsch 

The American took charge of Canada in 2024, his first job after leaving Leeds and has overseen just five losses in his tenure. 

(Canada Soccer)

 

Qatar  

World Ranking:  56
Best World Cup : Group Stage, 2022

Four years on from their groundbreaking introduction onto the global stage, Qatar return to the World Cup finals having qualifed this time around on their own merit. 

After four rounds of AFC qualifying, the Maroons got the better of UAE and Oman to book their place in the States and their second successive tournament. 

They are a group that almost solely play their football in their home country, so they are somewhat of an unknown and are ready to make a name for themselves. 

They'll still be underdogs in this group, but they shouldn't be underestimated. 

Key man - Akram Afif 

With 41 goals to his name for the national team, he’ll be Qatar’s best hope of finding the net in this summer’s finals.

Manager  -  Julen Lopetegui 

There's a massively experienced head in charge of the Qataris, with the former Wolves and West Ham boss. It's his second bite at a World Cup, having been removed from his Spain post just days before the tournament in 2018 following his agreement with Real Madrid. 

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Switzerland 

World Ranking: 18
Best World Cup:  Quarter-finals, 1934, 1938, 1954 

It's a sixth World Cup appearance in a row for the Swiss, who are aiming to move past the last sixteen hurdle that has eluded them in their last three tournaments. 

They navigated an unbeaten qualifying campaign, as they finished above Kosovo and Sweden and head to the States quietly confident of what they can achieve this summer.

With a strong spine to the side that includes Manuel Akanji and Granit Xhaka, alongside the attacking talent of Dan Ndoye and Breel Embolo, they will look to continue the momentum the side gained from their performances at Euro 2024, when they reached the quarter-finals. 

Key man - Granit Xhaka 

After a standout season at Sunderland, the Swiss skipper is at the top of his game and brings a wealth of experience, having won 143 caps for this country. 

Manager  -  Muart Yakin 

The former Swiss defender was appointed in 2021 and enjoyed a successful time as boss, leading the side to their impressive 2024 showing two years ago. 

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Bosnia and Herzegovina  

World Ranking: 71
Best World Cup:  Group stage 2014

Bosnia and Herzegovina will head into the tournament with the narrative of being the team that denied Italy from being in a World Cup for the third time in a row, but they won't care how they got there. 

After seeing off Wales and then the Italians in the play-offs - both on penalty shootouts - the Bosnians booked their place at the finals for only the second time as a separate nation. 

They go in as one of the lowest-ranked European teams, but have already shown a stubbornness in getting here and will definitely frustrate the teams in this group. 

There aren't many star names amongst the squad, but in defence, former Arsenal man Saed Kolasiac and Tarik Muharemovic of Sassuolo, will keep things as tight as they can. 

Key man - Edin Dzeko 

The former Manchester City is now 40, but as dangerous as ever in front of goal. He won't start every game, but he is a key weapon for the side. 

Manager  -  Sergej Barbarez

As a player, Barbarez was capped nearly 50 times for his country, but this is his first managerial post, having been appointed in April 2024. 

(C)Getty Images

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