2026 World Cup Group B Guide: Teams, Fixtures, Predictions and Latest Odds

Group B at the 2026 World Cup brings together one established performer, two evenly matched European and North American contenders, and a Qatar side returning for their second consecutive World Cup.

Switzerland enter as favourites, while Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina are priced identically in what should be a tight contest for second place.

Football Whispers breaks down Group B in full, including fixtures, latest odds and predictions.

Group B winners odds

• Switzerland – 5/6
• Canada – 13/5
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – 13/5
• Qatar – 25/1

Switzerland’s price reflects their consistency across recent major tournaments. Canada and Bosnia sit level as joint second favourites, while Qatar are long outsiders.

Group B qualification odds

• Switzerland – 1/10
• Canada – 1/3
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1/3
• Qatar – 13/8

The market expects Switzerland to progress, with Canada and Bosnia projected to compete directly for the second automatic spot. Qatar’s odds indicate they need at least one major result to stay in contention, with the prospect of being a best third-placed side.

Note: All odds correct at time of publishing.

Group B fixtures: match-by-match schedule

Gameweek 1

• Canada vs Bosnia
  • Canada: 1/1
  • Draw: 11/4
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: 10/3
    
• Qatar vs Switzerland
  • Qatar: 11/1
  • Draw: 5/1
  • Switzerland: 3/10

Gameweek 2

• Switzerland vs Bosnia
  • Switzerland: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: TBC
    
• Canada vs Qatar
  • Canada: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Qatar: TBC

Gameweek 3

• Switzerland vs Canada
  • Switzerland: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Canada: TBC
    
• Bosnia vs Qatar
  • Bosnia: TBC
  • Draw: TBC
  • Qatar: TBC

The opening round immediately defines the group, as Switzerland are expected to take three points, while Canada vs Bosnia is a direct contest for control of second place.

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2026 World Cup Group B prediction and betting angles

Canada

Canada appear at their second consecutive World Cup and will benefit by playing their group matches on home soil in Toronto and Vancouver. Their form under ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has been encouraging, losing only twice in the past year and recording notable wins over Romania and Wales.

The squad remains built around its leading talents. Jonathan David is already one of Canada’s most prolific goalscorers with 37 international goals, while Alphonso Davies provides elite-level versatility on the left side.

With the expanded format and a balanced group, Canada have a realistic opportunity to reach the knockout stages for the first time.

Switzerland

Switzerland arrive at their sixth straight World Cup, having reached the knockout stages in each of the last three editions. They qualified unbeaten, finishing above Kosovo and Sweden, and enjoyed a strong showing at Euro 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals.

Their strength lies in a well‑established core, who have been in and around the squad for several years, that includes captain Granit Xhaka, alongside the likes of Manuel Akanji, Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye, who all play at a high level in Europe’s top leagues.

The Swiss will arrive in North America quietly confident of their ability to make it into the knockout stages.

Bosnia

Bosnia qualified through the playoffs, defeating Wales and then Italy – both via penalty shootouts – to reach only their second World Cup as an independent nation.

The squad is light on star names, but defensively, they rely on experienced figures such as Sead Kolašinac and Tarik Muharemović. Veteran striker Edin Džeko is still knocking about at 40, and while he isn't likely to start many matches, his vast experience could become key.

They will head into the tournament as one of the lowest-rated teams (73rd), but have already shown a stubbornness and resilience to get to this point, so they must fancy their chances of causing an upset or two.

Qatar

Qatar return to the World Cup after qualifying through the AFC pathway, finishing ahead of the UAE and Oman across four rounds.

Their squad is largely domestic‑based, making them less familiar to global audiences. However, they are led by a massively experienced head, and one who may have a chip on his shoulder. Ex-Real Madrid and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui was sacked by Spain just days before the 2018 tournament following his agreement at the Bernabeu.

The Middle East nation remain underdogs in this group, but their strong Asian qualifying campaign – where Almoez Ali finished as top scorer with 12 goals and they conceded only three times – shows they’re not a team to be written off.

Final Group B prediction

1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. Bosnia
4. Qatar

Group B best bets

• Switzerland to win Group B (5/6)
• Canada to qualify (1/3)

Switzerland’s consistency gives them a clear edge for top spot, while Canada’s attacking output, particularly against Qatar, should be enough to separate them from Bosnia in the race for second place.

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