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WHO: Qatar vs Switzerland
What: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B games
Where: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
When: Saturday, 12pm local time (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Continue with all updates Al Jazeera Sport
Asian giants Qatar begin their World Cup campaign Saturdaythey are looking to erase the memories of their home run in 2022 where they lost all three of their group games.
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The Middle East faces a tough Group B game in San Francisco, taking on a Swiss side who are unbeaten in competitions since the end of 2024.
It’s Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina draw 1-1 in their opening game On Friday, both Qatar and Switzerland will be looking for a chance to take control of the group with a win on the West Coast of the US.
Qatar are looking for their first World Cup points
Qatar will return to the world after four years of suffering from their international reserves. They lost all three matches in 2022 and scored a solo goal, an unprecedented low for a competitor.
Ever since that disappointing tournament, Qatar has been winning, and winning 2023 Asian Cup to defend their position in the competition.
They also managed the National Committee under their steam, finding their place in North America and 2-1 won the United Arab Emirates in October 2025.
Their qualifying campaign was boosted after former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui took over in May 2025.
“When we arrived here one year ago, more or less, our goal was (qualification). Where was our dream. Inshallah, we achieved it. With the help of this team. They made history,” Lopetegui told reporters on Friday.
“Now we don’t want to give up, we know the type of opponents we face, we know we are at the World Cup, but we want to follow our dreams.”
Likewise, (we think) that no one gives us gifts here. Now we want to be as competitive as possible, starting from the first game tomorrow.”
Switzerland hopes to win the World Cup
Switzerland are making their sixth consecutive appearance in the World Cup, which is tied in Europe with France, Spain, England, Portugal and Germany.
But the Swiss have little to show for it, with round-16 exits in five of their last six appearances, including their last quarter-final appearance in 1954.
Europe is expecting a lot from this World Cup and the team is coming into the tournament with determination, after being unbeaten in the test, scoring only two goals.
“We just want to bring our ‘A’ game tomorrow. We want to do it in Switzerland, for our families. Tomorrow we will take a big step. This will be the best World Cup,” said captain Granit Xhaka on Friday.
“Now we are impatient,” he added. “We’re ready and prepared. We’re physically ready, we’re mentally ready.”
Switzerland have retained the same squad from the previous World Cup, which includes emerging talents like Dan Ndoye and newcomer Johan Manzambi in attack, supported by the reliable Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez, who have a combined 365 caps.
How is the World Cup group stage going?
Qatar, Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina make up Group B.
The top two teams from all 12 groups – along with the eight best third-placed teams – advance to the next stage, the round of 32, which was introduced at the World Cup for the first time.
Canada and Bosnia currently have one point apiece after a warm-up game in Toronto.
What happened when Switzerland met Qatar?
The two teams have only met once before, with Qatar stunning Switzerland 1-0 back in 2018.
An 88th-minute winner from Akram Afif was the difference as Qatar overcame a gap of 88 places in the FIFA rankings to win the world championship in Lugano.
Control form:
(Last five games, most recent first)
Qatar: DLLDL
Switzerland: Image of DWDLD
Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup have not been successful, with the US-Israel war over Iran forcing the suspension of matches against Serbia and Argentina.
They have played just two games this year, losing 1-0 to Ireland in a friendly and drawing 0-0 with El Salvador in their most recent match.
Switzerland drew 1-1 with Australia in their final World Cup warm-up game.
Where can you watch Qatar vs Switzerland?
Qatari fans can watch the match on beIN SPORTS, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm local time on Saturday evening.
In Switzerland, the match will start at 9pm local time and supporters can catch all the action on Swiss radio station SRG SSR.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch on ITV, while those in the United States can tune in on Fox.
Qatar and Switzerland team news
There is no problem for Julen Lopetegui on the injury front, with a full squad to choose from.
They will still have three players Edmilson Junior, Akram Afif and Yusuf Abdurisag in 4-3-3.
The Swiss coach, Murat Yakin, is also not worried about these injuries before the World Cup, his main focus is on what he will start.
Breel Embolo and Zeki Amdouni are pushing for a start in the final third.
Qatar predicted starting XI:
Mahmud Abunada (goalkeeper); Ayoub Al-Oui, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Homam Ahmed; Issa Laye, Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber; Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior
Switzerland predicted starting XI:
Gregor Kobel (goalkeeper); Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder, Dan Ndoye; Zeki Amdouni.
