A take a look at Team Canada and their Group B opponents forward of FIFA World Cup 2026

The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

June 11, 2026

The FIFA World Cup has kicked off in North America, and the query many followers are asking is: Just how far may Canada go?

The highlight will likely be additional shiny on Team Canada, as one of many co-hosts together with Mexico and the USA. But Les Rouges have by no means gained a single sport at a senior males’s World Cup.

Even so, the hype practice has charged its method out of the station. Some Canadian followers are dreaming of not solely a first-ever win, however a first-ever look within the knockout spherical.

To achieve this, Canada must make it out of Group B, which additionally options Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland. No true powerhouses in that trio, however no complete pushovers both.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Your information to soccer’s greatest get together

Switzerland is the highest-ranked crew within the group, at No. 19 on the planet. Next comes Canada (No. 30), then Qatar (No. 56) and Bosnia & Herzegovina (No. 64). But world rankings don’t all the time inform the entire story.

So, let’s see how head coach Jesse Marsch’s aspect stacks up.

Canada’s latest type

The boys in crimson enter the event with some momentum. In their two send-off video games on dwelling soil, they defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in Edmonton, then drew Republic of Ireland 1-1 in Montreal.

In reality, the crew has only one loss for the reason that begin of 2025, from a complete of 16 video games. But additionally they enter the FIFA World Cup with some damage considerations.

Marsch has needed to make a change to the 26-man World Cup roster he initially named. Midfielder Marcelo Flores suffered a significant knee damage enjoying for his membership crew, and has been changed by Jayden Nelson.

Defender Moïse Bombito can also be working his method again from a severe leg damage. Marsch had till 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday to make any adjustments to the roster, nevertheless it seems Bombito stays with the squad.

If Bombito can’t play Friday, his beginning spot will go to 20-year-old Luc de Fougerolles. Despite his youth, he has Marsch’s backing.

“Luc has delivered for us, always,” mentioned Marsch after a coaching session on Monday. “He’s a really smart player. For a young guy, he plays experienced. He’ll be ready.”

There are different nagging accidents throughout the crew, most notably for captain Alphonso Davies. He’s been dominated out for the opener in opposition to Bosnia & Herzegovina, however may play a component later within the event.

Bosnia & Herzegovina (June 12)

The opening match, to be performed at Toronto Stadium, may have large ramifications in Group B. It may even put the crew below an unprecedented microscope—however they’re prepared.

“This group is very calm,” says defender Alistair Johnston. “It’s really about keeping that level-headed state, which we’ve done a really good job at.”

While Canada faces the home-team strain, the Bosnian crew is aware of that few anticipated them to get this far. They shockingly defeated No. 12-ranked Italy in an all-or-nothing qualification match in March to succeed in the World Cup.

This is the nation’s second FIFA World Cup look, after debuting at Brazil 2014. Two gamers stay from that squad, together with 40-year-old crew captain Edin Džeko. He leads his nation with 73 objectives in 148 lifetime appearances.

“Bosnia scores a lot from crosses and from set pieces,” noticed Marsch. “They’re very big, so we know on set pieces they’re very dangerous.”

Amidst the thrill of enjoying in Canada’s first World Cup sport at dwelling, staying centered will likely be key and the margin for error will likely be extremely slim.

Qatar (June 18)

Canada then heads west to Vancouver to arrange store for the primary of two matches at BC Place. The first opponent is Qatar, who hosted the final FIFA World Cup, 4 years in the past.

The Persian Gulf nation has invested closely within the sport within the final 15 years, spurred by these internet hosting duties. They mechanically certified as hosts in 2022, however misplaced all three group-stage video games. Like Canada, Qatar is in search of a first-ever win on the FIFA World Cup.

This day trip, they reached the massive event by the qualification course of. A 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in October 2025 clinched their place.

But that’s certainly one of simply two wins for the crew in 13 matches for the reason that begin of 2025. Despite boasting extremely skilled gamers reminiscent of Almoez Ali and captain Hassan Al-Haydos, Qatar isn’t anticipated to make a lot noise on this event.

If Canada hopes to advance to the Round of 32, this one is a de facto must-win.

Switzerland (June 24)

There’s a good likelihood that this showdown at BC Place will decide which crew wins Group B.

It will probably be Canada’s hardest take a look at, in opposition to a nation that’s reached the knockout stage in 4 of the final 5 FIFA World Cups. Switzerland will likely be led by Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez, who’ve almost 300 national-team appearances between them.

But even when they’ll be underdogs on paper, the Canadian crew isn’t approaching the sport that method.

“We’re looking at all three of these games as great opportunities for us to win,” mentioned Johnston. “We want to get out of this group; and to top it, even better.”

The Swiss crew is aware of what it takes to advance, and should enter the match needing only a draw to high Group B. Will Canada throw all the things on the wall in an try to assert the win? It’s doable, based mostly on the potential reward.

The knockout stage?

The high two groups in Group B advance to the Round of 32. The third-place finisher may additionally advance, relying on how issues form up within the event’s different 11 teams.

There’s a robust incentive to ending first. The winner of Group B stays in Vancouver to play their Round of 32 match on July 2 in opposition to a third-place finisher from one other group.

READ: How accessibility and alignment turned Canada right into a soccer energy

And the winner of that match performs one other sport in Vancouver, a Round of 16 conflict on July 7. So sure, if all the things goes Canada’s method, the crew may find yourself enjoying 5 World Cup matches in entrance of dwelling crowds.

Meanwhile, the second-place finisher in Group B travels to Los Angeles for his or her Round of 32 match on June 28. That will likely be in opposition to the runner-up in Group A, which incorporates Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Czechia.

And if Canada finishes third in Group B? Well, the chances are so quite a few that we’re greatest not crossing that bridge until it comes.

For now, Team Canada—and its supporters—should simply take issues one match at a time.