Key points to know
- Canada is one of the World Cup hosts and will play in Toronto and Vancouver.
- Switzerland is the overwhelming favourite to win the group with odds of 1.81.
- Qatar is the outsider in Group B and is not considered capable of winning the match.
- Group B is one of the weakest groups in the tournament, with no clear contender for the title.
- The main players to watch are David, Dzeko, Afif, Xhaka.
- The deciding match between Switzerland and Canada will take place in the last round.
Group B teams and schedule
Canada is the most attention-grabbing team in Group B, with all its matches in Toronto and Vancouver. However, Switzerland is not considered the favourite in the group.
Three teams in the group are also in the 2022 World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only team returning to the tournament for the first time since 2014 – the second time in the country's history. Detailed official tournament information is available via FIFA's official 2026 tournament page.
Bookmakers' odds to win the group or finish runners-up:
| Team | Win the group | TOP 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 1,81 | 1,10 |
| Canada | 3,62 | 1,30 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4,50 | 2,75 |
| Qatar | 30,00 | 9,00 |
Three group matches will be played in Canada with the hosts. The remaining three matches will be played Santa in Clara, Inglewood and Seattle. The full group schedule is below (times in Lithuanian time, summer GMT+3).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) |
|---|---|
| Canada – Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12 June, 22:00 |
| Qatar – Switzerland | 13 June, 22:00 |
| Switzerland – Bosnia and Herzegovina | 18 June, 22:00 |
| Canada – Qatar | 19 June, 01:00 |
| Switzerland – Canada | 24 June, 22:00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina – Qatar | 24 June, 22:00 |
Favourites and outsiders in Group B
Group B has one clear outsider, Qatar, with the remaining three teams fighting for a place in the round of 32. While Switzerland is considered the favourite, Canada could surprise with the support of their home fans, while Bosnia and Herzegovina, returning to the tournament, should not be written off either.
Canada
Canada is one of the three hosts and therefore qualified for the tournament without qualification. The team has not played a single official match in the last year and has won four times in nine friendlies. The aim is to reach the round of 32 at home.
Visa the Canadians' playing strategy revolves around Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. The big concern is that Davies is currently recovering from an injury and there is a serious question whether he will be ready for the start of the World Cup.
Switzerland
Switzerland are the strongest team in Group B and are deservedly considered the favourites. They finished first in the qualifiers and have not suffered a single defeat. The Swiss arrive at the 2026 World Cup with the strongest line-up, with all key players ready to play.
A first place in the group would potentially give the Swiss an easier opponent in the Round of 32. This is an important strategic objective that will affect the whole tournament journey.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for the World Cup by beating Italy in the decisive qualifying match. The squad is made up of high level players including Ermedin Demirovic, Sead Kolasinac and of course Edin Dzeko.
With a balanced Group B, Bosnia and Herzegovina has every reason to think about the round of 32. A win against Qatar and at least one draw would give the team four points, which could be enough to qualify for the next round even from third place. The Bosnians' motivation to return to the tournament after a 12-year break will be particularly strong.
Qatar
Qatar participated in the World Cup for the first time in 2022, but then received a place as host nation. It qualified for the 2026 tournament through the qualifiers for the first time, which already means that the team should not be completely written off.
There are no clear favourites in the group and all the opponents are of a similar level, so it would not be surprising if Qatar managed at least one draw. However, third place in the group looks difficult to achieve. The team lacks talent and most of the players play in the local league. More details on the qualification system can be found via UEFA's official website.
Players to watch in Group B
There is no national team in Group B that is projected to fight for the top spots at the 2026 World Cup. However, there will be the opportunity to see top-level footballers.
The Canadian duo of Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David stand out for their individual talent. For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the focus is on Ermedin Demirovic, Sead Kolasinac and Edin Dzeko. Qatar has the least talent, with Akram Afif, who won the Best Asian Footballer award in 2024, the team's main player.
Switzerland is the most balanced team in the group. Granit Xhaka, Breel Embolo, Ricardo Rodriguez, Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas are among the key players.
Highlights of Group B
The weakest team in Group B is Qatar. It will have to fight very hard even for third place, as the rest of the opponents are of a similar level and will certainly not want to lose points.
There is a strong chance that Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada and Switzerland will all qualify for the round of 32. If all three beat Qatar and at least one of the duels ends in a draw, the four points will give them a good chance of qualifying for the next round as the best third-placed team.
Although Canada will be playing at home, there is a chance that Alphonso Davies will be absent, which significantly reduces the team's chances. Switzerland arrives at the World Cup in top form and without any major losses. the odds of 1.81 for a group victory look like the best odds bet in this group.
Betting Outlook
In the odd Group B duels, especially against Qatar, an outright victory offers relatively low odds. In such situations, the alternative is an over under bet or a team's individual goal total. When choosing a platform for the tournament, it is worth comparing the best betting companies in terms of the in-play markets on offer.
You can read about the other teams and groups in the individual reviews: Spain at the World Cup 2026, France at the World Cup 2026 and Argentina at the World Cup 2026. For a full list of participants, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Participants article.
Responsible betting during the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost six weeks and matches are played almost every day. This rhythm increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun. Practical advice is provided by the responsible gambling guide.
Group B FAQ
Which teams are in Group B
The teams in Group B are Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada and Qatar.
Who are the favourites to win Group B
Switzerland is the main favourite. The bookmakers are offering odds of 1.81 for her to win the group.
Which teams are predicted to qualify for the next round from Group B
Switzerland and Canada have the best chances of finishing in the top two places and qualifying for the next round. Bosnia and Herzegovina can expect a chance to qualify for the next round from third place as one of the best third-placed teams.
Which is the most important match of Group B
The last group match between Switzerland and Canada on 24 June should be the most important duel in the group – realistically it could decide first place in the group.
Which team could be the biggest surprise in Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovina. The team qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating Italy. Although Canada will be playing at home, it would not be a surprise if it finishes in third place and the Bosnians overtake it.
What are the odds offered for Qatar to win the group
The odds for Qatar to win are 30.00, one of the highest in the tournament. This clearly shows that the bookmakers consider it to be the outsider in the group.
Which cities will host Group B matches
The matches will take place in Toronto, Vancouver (Canada) and Santa Clara, Inglewood and Seattle (USA).
When will the first and last matches of Group B take place?
The first game of Group B will be Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 June at 22:00 Lithuanian time. The last match of the group will be played on 24 June at the same time – 22:00 LT.
