2026 World Cup: Qatar vs. Switzerland, probable lineups

The first matchday of Group B at the 2026 World Cup wraps up on Saturday evening Italian time—the group Italy would have been in had it managed to qualify. Following the 1-1 draw between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland will battle it out for the chance to immediately take the lead in the standings, with the Swiss undoubtedly favored against a Qatar team in maroon jerseys that is nonetheless ready to put up a fierce fight.

This is Qatar’s second World Cup appearance, its first as a qualifier after playing as the host nation in 2022. In the first and (so far) only edition of the tournament played in the fall, Al-Annabi racked up a string of negative records: it was, in fact, the only host nation—along with South Africa in 2010—to fail to qualify for the knockout stage and the first to do so with zero points in the standings, having scored just one goal, in a 1-3 loss to Senegal, by striker Mohammed Muntari, who is also playing in this edition.

This marks Switzerland’s 13th appearance, as the team has never missed a World Cup since 2006. Its most significant results, however, date back much further, with the team reaching the quarterfinals in 1934, 1938, and the 1954 tournament hosted on home soil. In the last three World Cups, Switzerland has consistently reached the round of 16, but was eliminated by Argentina (1-0 after extra time), Sweden (1-0, this time after 90 minutes), and Portugal (a decisive 6-1 loss).

Probable lineups

QATAR (4-3-3): Abunada; Al-Oui, Miguel, Khoukhi, Ahmed; Gaber, Fathy, Laye; Abdurisag, Afif, Edmilson Junior. Coach: Lopetegui.

SWITZERLAND (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Vargas, Manzambi, Ndoye; Embolo. Coach: Yakin.