Group B of World Cup 2026 is the group of the co-hosts' big day. Canada, one of the three host nations, play their first ever World Cup match on home soil on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the team that knocked Italy out on penalties in the playoff in Zenica. With Qatar and Switzerland completing the group, this is a balanced group where Canada's home advantage could matter as much as the Europeans' technical quality, and where the race for second place could go down to the final matchday.

The four teams in Group B

Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland are four nations with clear identities. Canada are the young, fast team of the group, with a generation of talent developed between MLS and European leagues, and they play their opening games at home. Bosnia arrive with the confidence of a team that beat Italy, led by experienced players. Qatar, after hosting in 2022, are chasing the first World Cup win in their history. Switzerland are the most consistent team in the group: they have regularly reached the knockout stage in recent editions.

Bosnia, the team that beat Italy

Bosnia and Herzegovina wrote one of the most dramatic chapters of World Cup qualifying by beating Italy on penalties in Zenica. Edin Dzeko and his teammates are experienced, physical and hard to play against, with a midfield that controls the tempo and an attack that punishes any lapse. In Canada, Bosnia will also find a large community of expatriate fans ready to support them, turning their matches into something close to home games.

Canada and home advantage

Canada open on June 12 in Toronto, in the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. It is a historic moment for football in the country, which is living its golden age: Alphonso Davies is a world star, Jonathan David scores regularly in Europe, and the team play a modern, aggressive and vertical game. The risk for the hosts is pressure: the excitement can become a burden if results do not arrive quickly, but Canada have the talent to win the group.

Switzerland and Qatar: experience against ambition

Switzerland are the silent favourites in Group B. They are a team that concedes almost nothing, defend in an orderly way and have players used to big European nights. In recent editions they have knocked out France on penalties and reached the quarter-finals: underestimating them would be a mistake. Qatar, by contrast, start as underdogs but are not the naive team of 2022: they have World Cup experience, a settled squad and the ability to close spaces. Against Canada and Bosnia they can steal precious points.

The decisive matches

Canada against Bosnia on June 12 opens the group with a story already written: the Bosnians arrive as heroes, the Canadians as hosts. Switzerland against Qatar will show who can threaten the top two. But the real turning point could be Bosnia against Switzerland, a clash between two European nations who know each other well and which could decide second place. The final matchday, with Canada against Switzerland and Bosnia against Qatar, could still reshuffle everything.

Prediction: who advances?

Canada have the home advantage and the talent to finish first, but Switzerland are the most reliable team in the group and are unlikely to miss the top two. Bosnia are the wild card: if they repeat the solidity they showed against Italy, they can advance. Qatar remain the fourth force, but they can take points off anyone. Our prediction: Canada first, Switzerland second, Bosnia third with a good chance among the best third-placed teams.