Canada are preparing for the biggest moment in the nation’s football history as they host matches for the first time. Drawn in Group B, Jesse Marsch’s side will begin their campaign in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina before further meetings with 2022 hosts Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver.
The Canadians returned to the global stage in Qatar four years ago, ending a 36-year World Cup absence, and will now attempt to make history on home soil by claiming a first ever World Cup victory.
Group B brings together teams from Concacaf, UEFA and the AFC, with Switzerland arriving as the highest-ranked side in the group and Bosnia and Herzegovina returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
Best World Cup: Group stage (1986, 2022)
World Cup qualifications: 3 (1986, 2022, 2026)
Overall World Cup record: P6 W0 D0 L6 F2 A12
Canada secured automatic qualification as a co-host nation, alongside Mexico and the United States, following the decision on 14 February 2023.
Best World Cup: Group stage (2014)
World Cup qualifications: 2 (2014, 2026)
Overall World Cup record: P3 W1 D0 L2 F4 A4
Bosnia and Herzegovina competed as part of Yugoslavia at eight World Cups from 1930-1990.
Bosnia and Herzegovina booked their return to the FIFA World Cup through the UEFA play-offs, coming from behind to claim dramatic penalty shootout victories in both the semi-final and final. After edging past Wales (1-1 AET, 4-2 on penalties) in Cardiff, Bosnia and Herzegovina stunned four-time world champions Italy (1-1 AET, 4-1 on penalties) in front of their own fans in Zenica to secure only the second World Cup appearance in the nation’s history.
Confederation: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
Best World Cup: Group stage (2022)
World Cup qualifications: 2 (2022, 2026)
Overall World Cup record: P3 W0 D0 L3 F1 A7
After making their FIFA World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, Qatar secured qualification on merit for the first time through the fourth round of Asian qualifying. Julen Lopetegui’s side drew with Oman before defeating Gulf neighbours United Arab Emirates 2-1 to seal top spot in their group and, with it, a second consecutive appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)
World Cup qualifications: 13 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Overall World Cup record: P41 W14 D8 L19 F55 A73
Switzerland topped UEFA qualifying Group B to book a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance. Murat Yakin’s side finished ahead of Sweden, Slovenia and Kosovo, sealing qualification with a 1-1 draw away to the latter in their final qualifier. It completed an unbeaten campaign of four wins and two draws for Switzerland, who will head to the World Cup aiming to reach the knockout stage for a fourth successive time.
If Edin Dzeko plays in Bosnia and Herzegovina's opening game, he will become only the second outfield player aged 40 or over to appear at a FIFA World Cup after Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1994.
Canada are aiming for their first-ever World Cup victory, having lost all six previous matches across the 1986 and 2022 editions.
Switzerland have reached the Round of 16 at each of the last three World Cups.
Jonathan David became Canada's all-time leading men's goalscorer in November 2024, surpassing team-mate Cyle Larin.
Mohammed Muntari scored Qatar’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal in a 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the 2022 tournament.
The winners of Group B will face a third-placed finisher from either Group E, F, G, I or J in Vancouver, while the runners-up will meet the Group A runners-up in Los Angeles. Should the third-placed team in the group qualify as one of the eight best, they will face either the Group D winners in Santa Clara or the Group E winners in Boston in the Round of 32.
Sources: FIFA Official
