World Cup 2026: Group B Preview

Preview to Group B.

CANADA

MANAGER: Jesse Marsch

FIFA RANKING: 30

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage x2 - 1986 and 2022

It took 36 years for Canada to appear at another World Cup four years ago and it took them four years to appear at their next one as one of the host nations. Having home advantage will be a big plus for them because they'll be familiar with their surroundings and will have the home crowd behind them. They haven't won or drawn any game at the World Cup finals and they have a great chance to end that hoodoo at these finals.

KEY PLAYER: Alphonso Davies

Position: Left Back

Club: Bayern Munich

He has had an injury disrupted season with Bayern Munich, but Davies will still be Canada's go-to player at this World Cup. He's been one of the best attacking full backs in the world for some time now because of his incredible pace and if he can put his injury troubles behind him and stay fit, Canada could have a good tournament on home soil.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jonathan David

Position: Striker

Club: Juventus

David has found goals hard to come by since joining Juventus, but his record for the national team remains strong. He's Canada's other big name player after Davies and if they're to make the most of this World Cup on home soil, they'll need him scoring goals.

PREDICTION: Last 16

Having home advantage will certainly help and especially during the group stage as all their games will be played on home soil. I fancy them to make it out the group because of this but I don't see them going beyond the opening knockout rounds.

BOSNIA

MANAGER: Sergej Barbarez

FIFA RANKING: 65

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage - 2014

Bosnia are back at the World Cup finals for the first time since their only appearance in 2014 and one player from that side remains in Edin Dzeko, who will feature at these finals at the age of 40. Despite being 40, Dzeko still knows where the back of the net is and his experience will be massively beneficial for the younger players in the team. But they'll need to step up as they won't be able to rely on a 40 year old to score their goals.

KEY PLAYER: Ermedin Demirovic

Position: Striker

Club: Stuttgart

Demirovic hasn't been exactly clinical for his country with his record being 4 goals from 39 caps. But after two clinical seasons with Stuttgart, this tournament could be the one where he finally delivers as he'll come into it brimming with confidence. We could potentially see the passing of the baton between him and Dzeko in terms of being Bosnia's go-to player.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Benjamin Tahirovic

Position: Midfielder

Club: Brondby

He might be a more defensive player, but Tahirovic does like to venture into the final third and create chances for this teammates. He's become a more all-rounded midfield player by doing that side of the game as well as his defensive duties and the system Bosnia play is one that suits him and the way he plays the game.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They're not blessed with as a lot of quality and they don't have a lot of tournament experience in their squad. Because of this I can see them going home early.

QATAR

MANAGER: Julen Lopetegui

FIFA RANKING: 55

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage - 2022

Not many people will have expected Qatar to be back at another World Cup four years after hosting it in 2022 because they're not a country known for it's football. They lost all three of their group games four years ago and they'll certainly want to do better at this tournament and especially as they're in a more open group. But they'll again be massive underdogs like they were as the host nation.

KEY PLAYER: Akram Afif

Position: Winger

Club: Al-Sadd

Afif is heavily involved with Qatar's attacking play because of his ability to link up with players and make things happen. He's quick, skilful and is capable of both creating and scoring goals and his team will need him to the latter if they're to make it out the group.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Almoez Ali

Position: Striker

Club: Al-Duhail

Ali is Qatar's record goal scorer but hasn't scored a goal for his country for the last two years. He still leads the line for his country though despite his lack of goals and he'll want to break that duck so he can repay the faith the manager has in him.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They don't have the quality that most of the teams at this tournament have and they also come into the tournament in poor form. Because of this I can only see them going home early.

SWITZERLAND

MANAGER: Murat Yakin

FIFA RANKING: 19

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 12

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Quarter Finals x3 - 1934, 1938 and 1954

Switzerland have always been that team at major tournaments that always make it out the group but never go far. There is however a different feel about them heading into this tournament as their squad has a mix of young and experienced players which is a good balance to have. They went unbeaten for the whole of last year to qualify for this tournament and they'll feel that they have a chance of going beyond the opening knockout rounds as they're in a more open group.

KEY PLAYER: Breel Embolo

Position: Forward

Club: Rennes

Embolo is beginning to live up to the potential that many people were hoping he would reach when he first emerged and he comes into this tournament as the Swiss' go-to player. His goals were key to the Swiss qualifying and will be again if they're to go beyond the early knockout rounds.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Gregor Kobel

Position: Goalkeeper

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Kobel has been one of the best keepers in the Bundesliga over the last few years and he comes into this tournament off the back of another solid season at Dortmund. He's a keeper who is an excellent shot stopper by being a big presence between the sticks and is also comfortable with the ball at his feet. The Swiss need him to deliver those big saves if they're to go far in this tournament.

PREDICTION: Last 16

They'll definitely get out the group because they're easily the strongest team in it and have a good track record of doing that. But I don't see them reach the latter stages because they don't have the quality that the bigger nations have.