Canada
Co-hosts and automatic qualifiers, Canada open their tournament at BMO Field in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June – their first home World Cup fixture in the country’s history.
Jesse Marsch’s side are appearing at their third World Cup and will play all three group games on home soil – in Toronto and Vancouver – giving them a genuine advantage throughout the campaign.
Players to watch: Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified through the UEFA playoffs after eliminating Italy in one of the most dramatic results of the entire qualification cycle – ending the four-time world champions’ hopes on penalties and making Italy the first World Cup-winning nation to miss three consecutive tournaments.
This is only their second World Cup appearance after their 2014 debut in Brazil. A physically strong side with genuine quality in attack, they arrive with something to prove on the biggest stage.
Players to watch: Edin Dzeko, Sead Kolasinac and Haris Tabaković.
Qatar
The defending AFC Asian Cup champions are making their second consecutive World Cup appearance after hosting the 2022 tournament. Qatar arrive having not played a competitive match since December 2025 under new coach Julen Lopetegui, appointed in May 2025.
Their 2022 campaign ended in the group stage – the worst result for a host nation in modern times. They face an even tougher challenge this time around in a competitive Group B.
Players to watch: Akram Afif and Almoez Ali.
Switzerland
Switzerland are the group’s most technically complete side – arriving with six consecutive World Cup appearances, a flawless qualifying campaign and the quiet confidence of a squad that has knocked out France and Italy in recent knockout rounds.
Murat Yakin has built a well-organised and tactically flexible side that represents the biggest threat to Canada in Group B.
Players to watch: Gregor Kobel, Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji.
Switzerland are the clear favourites to advance from Group B. The battle for the second automatic qualification spot between Canada on home soil and Bosnia and Herzegovina is where the real intrigue lies. Qatar face the toughest task of the four sides.
The fixtures
12 Jun: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – BMO Field, Toronto – 22:00 SAST
13 Jun: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara – 22:00 SAST
18 Jun: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles – 21:00 SAST
19 Jun: Canada vs Qatar – BC Place, Vancouver – 00:00 SAST
24 Jun: Switzerland vs Canada – BC Place, Vancouver – 21:00 SAST
24 Jun: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar – Lumen Field, Seattle – 21:00 SAST
Photo: REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo
