2026 FIFA World Cup Group B: Teams, Schedule, Standings, and Knockout Path

Overview of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest ever with 48 teams, will spread across North America. Canada will host several matches at venues like Toronto's BMO Field and Vancouver's BC Place, bringing the national team into the spotlight. Each Group B squad will play at least one game in Canada, but fixtures also take place along the U.S. West Coast.

Group B Match Schedule and Venues

• June 12, 3 p.m. ET: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field, Toronto
• June 13, 3 p.m. ET: Qatar vs Switzerland at Levi's Stadium, San Francisco
• June 18, 3 p.m. ET: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
• June 18, 6 p.m. ET: Canada vs Qatar at BC Place, Vancouver
• June 24, 3 p.m. ET: Canada vs Switzerland at BC Place, Vancouver
• June 24, 3 p.m. ET: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar at Lumen Field, Seattle

Tiebreaking Rules for Group Stage

If teams finish equal on points, rankings will be decided by results in their head-to-head matches, goal difference in those games, then goals scored. Should this fail to separate them, overall goal difference and total goals in all group matches come into play, followed by a "team conduct score" based on cards received. If still tied, FIFA rankings decide the order.

Advancement of Third-Place Teams

The tournament allows the eight best third-place teams from groups to advance to the Round of 32. These teams are ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored, conduct score, and FIFA ranking.

Profiles of Group B Teams

Canada

Preparing for their third World Cup appearance, Canada enters with their strongest squad yet. Coach Jesse Marsch aims to take the team beyond the group stage for the first time. Their success will depend partly on Alphonso Davies, who is recovering from injury, though recent performances show resilience without him. Memories of a scoreless 2022 campaign linger, pushing the team to prove their worth.

FIFA ranking: 30 | CONCACAF rank: 3rd | Previous World Cups: 2 (last in 2022)

Key players include Jonathan David, Alphonso Davies, and Stephen Eustaquio.

Switzerland

A consistent presence over the last two decades, Switzerland topped UEFA Group B in qualifying with four wins and two draws. Under Murat Yakin's leadership, they possess a mix of experienced internationals such as Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji. Despite a heavy loss to Portugal in 2018, they have remained unbeaten in over a year and reached recent European Championship quarterfinals.

FIFA ranking: 19 | UEFA rank: 10th | World Cup appearances: 12 (last in 2022)

Main contributors include Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, and Dan Ndoye.

Qatar

Having hosted the previous World Cup, Qatar earned qualification through competitive play for the first time in 2026. Their national squad is drawn entirely from their domestic league, reflecting a deliberate strategy. After a tough 2022 showing, they captured the 2023 Asian Cup. Julen Lopetegui took over coaching duties in 2025, guiding them successfully through qualification rounds.

FIFA ranking: 55 | AFC rank: 6th | World Cup appearances: 1 (2022)

Key players include Mohammed Muntari, Pedro Miguel, and Hassan Al Haydos.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

They secured their second World Cup spot by eliminating Italy in dramatic playoff penalties. Though ranked lower than in previous years, veteran striker Edin Dzeko remains central to their attack. The squad features talent across Europe's top leagues, including Esmir Bajraktarevic, notable for switching from the USMNT to represent Bosnia.

FIFA ranking: 65 | UEFA rank: 29th | World Cup appearances: 1 (2014)

Key figures are Edin Dzeko, Esmir Bajraktarevic, and Kerim Alajbegovic.

Broadcast Information

In the United States, Fox will air the World Cup in English, with streaming available on Fubo, offering a free trial. Canadian fans can watch on TSN and Amazon Prime. Viewers in the UK will find coverage on BBC and ITV with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Group B Knockout Stage Paths

From Group B, either two or three teams will progress to the knockout rounds. The top two advance automatically. The third-placed team may move forward if ranked among the best eight third-placed finishers. The group winner plays a third-placed team from Groups E, F, G, I, or J on July 2 in Vancouver. The runner-up faces Group A’s second-place team on June 28 in Inglewood, California. If the third-place team advances, it meets either Group E or D winners.

Round of 32 Group B Matches

Later rounds follow with quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place match, and final held across various North American stadiums, concluding on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.