World Cup Guide: everything you need to know about Group B | OneFootball

The FIFA World Cup is almost here. With kick-off fast approaching, Playmaker is taking a closer look at all 48 participating nations across 12 articles - one for each group in the tournament. From likely starting XIs to the key players to watch, we've got everything you need to know ahead of the biggest competition in world football.

Our World Cup group-by-group preview continues with Group B. It may not be the most eye-catching section at first glance, but there is plenty to keep an eye on. The group brings together one of Europe's most reliable tournament teams of recent years, a nation determined to finally make a breakthrough on the world stage, a side preparing to play a World Cup on home soil for the first time, and a team that booked its place in the finals by ending Italy's qualification hopes.

Switzerland, Qatar, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina all arrive with ambitions of making their mark, although the Swiss begin as clear favourites. La Nati are making their 13th World Cup appearance, while Canada have featured only twice before, and both Qatar and Bosnia are appearing for just the second time.

Even so, qualification is far from a foregone conclusion. Canada continue to build on the momentum generated in recent years, while Bosnia will hope to enjoy one last memorable campaign with Edin Dzeko, one of the greatest players in the nation's history. Qatar, now led by Julen Lopetegui, will be eager to show how much they have progressed since hosting the tournament in 2022.

One thing is certain: Group B has plenty of stories still waiting to be written.

Switzerland

Number of appearances: 12

Best performance: quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)

This will be Switzerland's 13th appearance at a World Cup, and with it comes fresh hope that this generation can finally end a wait stretching back more than seven decades. La Nati are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, when they last found themselves among the final eight teams in the competition.

They arrive at the 2026 tournament as one of Europe's most consistent and well-organised sides, built around much of the same core that impressed at Euro 2024 before narrowly losing to England on penalties in the quarter-finals. Continuity remains a key feature of Murat Yakin's squad, with 17 players from Switzerland's 2022 World Cup campaign retained for this year's tournament.

That stability has helped create a side that is difficult to break down and rarely beats itself. While Switzerland may not attract the same attention as some of the traditional heavyweights, they head into the competition believing they have both the experience and quality to make a deep run.

The coach: Murat Yakin

He has been in charge since September 2021, and over the past four years has shaped Switzerland into a side with a clear tactical identity - well organised, disciplined, and difficult to break down.

The 50-year-old coach built much of his reputation in Swiss club football, most notably winning back-to-back league titles with FC Basel in 2012/13 and 2013/14. At international level, his approach has remained consistent, with a flexible 3-4-2-1 system that often sees build-up play initiated from the centre-backs.

He may not be the most outspoken or charismatic manager at the tournament, but he is certainly one of the most methodical and detail-driven.

The star: Granit Xhaka

The captain and long-standing ‘heart’ of this Switzerland side, Granit Xhaka has been central to the team for over a decade. With more than 140 caps to his name - a national record for La Nati - he heads into another World Cup with the experience of three previous tournaments behind him.

Last summer, Xhaka made the move to Sunderland, where he quickly became a key figure in their rise to the Premier League. While his role can vary slightly depending on the system, his importance remains unchanged: Switzerland’s build-up play still runs through him in the opening phase.

One to watch: Johan Manzambi

Born to Angolan and Congolese parents and still only 20, Manzambi is already regarded as one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Bundesliga. The Freiburg talent made his senior international debut in June 2025 and quickly established himself as a regular, already earning 11 caps and scoring three goals.

This season, he has played a key role in Freiburg’s impressive European campaign, even scoring a crucial goal in their Europa League semi-final against SC Braga. With the World Cup arriving while he is in such strong form, the powerful midfielder is very much one to keep an eye on.

Qatar

Number of appearances: 1

Best performance: group stage (2022)

Qatar return to football’s biggest stage with the mission of ‘banishing the ghosts’ of their first appearance. In 2022, the Qatari national team became the second side in history to be eliminated in the group stage as hosts, losing all three matches.

This time, the Middle Eastern country qualified on sporting merit (and not because of host status), finishing top of their group in Asian qualifying. However, it is important to note the lack of star names in the squad. The group is made up almost entirely of players from the Qatari league, with limited experience on the biggest stages. We will see whether we get a more exciting Qatar this time around.

The coach: Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui brings a wealth of experience to the role, having built a strong managerial career across European football. His most notable success came at Sevilla, where he guided the club to Europa League glory in the 2019/20 season.

He also had a brief spell as Spain head coach, which ended dramatically on the eve of the 2018 World Cup after it was announced he would take charge of Real Madrid following the tournament.

At international level with Qatar, Lopetegui is known for his meticulous approach, placing a strong emphasis on defensive organisation, positional discipline and structured possession play rather than direct attacking football.

Since arriving in May 2025, he has already had a noticeable impact on the national team, reorganising the side into a more compact and disciplined unit while continuing to trust the players who delivered in qualification. So far, it has been a steady and encouraging start.

The star: Akram Afif

For many, he is the standout Asian player of his generation. Now 29, the Al-Sadd forward is the most recognisable face in Qatari football and a key figure in his national team’s qualification for this World Cup.

Named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Asian Cup, Afif is a quick, intelligent winger with a sharp eye for goal. Last season, the number 10 delivered an impressive return of 19 goals and 19 assists in 36 matches for his club.

While he is not widely known on the European stage, within Asian football he is highly regarded and admired by supporters who follow the game closely. The big question now is whether Afif can finally make a wider international impact on the World Cup stage.

One to watch: Mohamed Almanai

At just 22, the Al-Shamal midfielder is seen as one of the most promising young talents in Qatari football. A regular feature in national squad selections, Almanai is part of a new generation of players developed in the Gulf who have not had to carry the same weight or expectations that followed the 2022 World Cup.

With excellent awareness and reading of the game, he links the deeper midfield areas with the more advanced positions with real ease. Although he is still short on senior international minutes, this tournament could be the perfect stage for him to make a real statement.

Canada

Number of appearances: 2

Best performance: group stage (1986; 2022)

This will be Canada’s third World Cup appearance, and by far the one carrying the most expectation. For the first time, they will be playing on home soil, with the 2026 edition jointly hosted by the USA and Mexico - a factor that could prove decisive in finally turning the page on past struggles. In their two previous appearances, in 1986 and 2022, Canada failed to pick up a single point. This time, however, there is a genuine belief that things can be different.

The squad has real quality and a number of players competing at a high level in Europe. Among them are Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David, who has developed into a key figure and clinical presence up front. With 39 international goals, he is already Canada’s all-time top scorer.

There is a clear ambition within the group to go further than ever before, and enough talent in the squad to suggest they can make that ambition a reality.

The coach: Jesse Marsch

The 52-year-old American is no stranger to European football. Developed within the Red Bull system, he is closely associated with a high-intensity style built on aggressive pressing and quick transitions in advanced areas. His coaching journey has taken him through New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, before a spell in England followed.

His time at Leeds United did not go as hoped, and he left the club before their relegation was confirmed. However, since taking on his current role, there has been clear progress, with the team evolving into a more defined unit with real identity. They now play with purpose and directness, often needing very few passes to get into dangerous areas.

The star: Alphonso Davies

The most high-profile player in this squad, and one of the quickest athletes in world football, Alphonso Davies arrives at the World Cup still recovering from a serious left thigh injury suffered in May during the Champions League semi-finals against PSG.

However, Marsch has reassured supporters that the Bayern Munich full-back will be fit in time for the start of the tournament, easing concerns across Canada.

Although he operates as a left-back, Davies is central to Canada’s attacking play, constantly driving forward and creating overloads with his explosive runs. With Tajon Buchanan ahead of him, the pair form a dangerous combination that can cause real problems for any opposition.

If he can fully shake off the injury, Davies has the potential to be the standout player in Group B.

One to watch: Promise David

Promise David’s path to the spotlight has been anything but conventional. The 24-year-old has played across the lower divisions in Croatia and the United States, before going on to spells in Malta and Estonia, eventually finding stability and form in Belgium.

This season at Union Saint-Gilloise, the number 12 scored 15 goals, finishing as the club’s top scorer. A physically imposing striker, he stands out for his strength in the air and his efficiency in front of goal.

He has all the attributes to be one of the potential breakout players of this World Cup.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Number of appearances: 1

Best performance: group stage

Bosnia and Herzegovina return to the World Cup in dramatic fashion, having beaten Italy in the European play-offs to secure their place at the expense of one of the tournament favourites. It ends a 12-year wait since their debut in 2014 in Brazil for the Zmajevi to get back onto football’s biggest stage.

Drawn in an open Group B, Bosnia will quietly believe a place in the round of 16 is within reach for the first time in their history. The squad blends experience with emerging talent, led by captain Edin Džeko, whose presence remains vital both on and off the pitch.

There is also a new generation beginning to step forward, with Amar Dedic impressing after a strong debut season at Benfica. Alongside him, players such as Sead Kolasinac, Ermedin Demirovic and Haris Tabakovic add physicality, depth and balance to the squad.

The coach: Sergej Barbarez

Barbarez has a rather unusual story. In 2024, the 54-year-old was appointed despite having no previous experience as a professional manager. Even so, his strong personality and long-standing authority as a former national-team captain helped earn him the role.

He has since opted for a more physical approach, based on intensity and quick transitions, which has led to Bosnia’s most successful qualifying campaign in years.

However, Sergej Barbarez will now need to fine-tune some of the ideas he has implemented, as most teams in the group operate with a similar style - but with more established names and greater depth.

The star: Edin Dzeko

The last dance. Dzeko is 40 and has been the face of Bosnian football for almost two decades. Twelve years on from their last appearance, he now has the chance to return to football’s biggest stage. Back in 2014, he scored Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever World Cup goal in the win over Iran.

The Schalke 04 forward has continued to defy time, even becoming the oldest player ever to score in the 2. Bundesliga this year. He remains the team’s main attacking reference point and focal leader in the final third.

With Miralem Pjanić now retired, Dzeko shoulders even greater responsibility for this group. On the biggest stage of all, he will look to write one final chapter worthy of his career - perhaps still with a few more goals left in him.

One to watch: Benjamin Tahirovic

Born in Sweden but choosing to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 23-year-old defensive midfielder has established himself as an important player for Brøndby IF after spells with Roma and Ajax. The midfielder is physically imposing and combines strong duels in midfield with a level of technical quality that sets him apart in his role.

Tahirovic has already attracted interest from several top European clubs. This World Cup could be the ideal stage for him to show he is ready for the next step up.