Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, we go through every group in the expanded 48-country field and examine the teams, highlight the most recent odds, and make predictions.
Group B is headlined by Switzerland, which is set to make its sixth straight World Cup appearance, and co-hosts Canada. While Switzerland is the significant favorite to win Group B, it’ll face stiff competition from Canada, as the co-hosts will play all their group games on home soil. Bosnia and Herzegovina won’t be an easy game either after its playoff qualifying heroics. Finally, Qatar, making its second-ever tournament appearance, rounds out the group.
While Switzerland has been a mainstay of the World Cup for the past two decades, it’s struggled to make a significant impact. The Swiss routinely progress through the group stage but then always fall in the first round of the knockout stage. But Switzerland looked improved in Euro 2024, taking down Italy in the Round of 16 before falling to England on penalties in the quarter-finals. With an expanded tournament, Switzerland is the team to beat in Group B, according to the best World Cup betting sites, with a great chance to earn a World Cup knockout game victory.
Crucial to Switzerland’s chances is Granit Xhaka, the team’s captain and midfield wizard. The Sunderland man has continued his stellar form from his time with Bayer Leverkusen, and his creativity, poise, and leadership are the driving force behind Switzerland. While the team has other experienced players who play for top European clubs, like Borussia Dortmund goalie Gregor Kobel and Inter center back Manuel Akanji, a big flaw is the lack of established attacking options.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| -125 | -1400 | +6600 |
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The 2022 World Cup was Canada’s first in 36 years, and just making it back to the tournament was enough then. But the pressure is on four years later to not just win the country’s first World Cup game but to make it out of Group B in front of its home fans. Jesse Marsch and Co. will be feeling confident, placed in a winnable group without any of the powerhouses. Canada is also coming off an impressive fourth place at the 2024 Copa América.
Canada likes to rely on its established names, like Jonathan David, Tajon Buchanan, Alphonso Davies, and Moïse Bombito. Davies is the team’s star man. But the Bayern Munich standout is recovering from a torn ACL, and questions of his fitness remain. Canada needs the speed and creativity of Davies, who plays further up field on the left wing for his national side. If Davies is sidelined, more pressure will be on David, who has a record 39 goals in 75 international appearances.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +225 | -450 | +15000 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina had perhaps the most dramatic path to World Cup qualification of any team. Forced to go through the playoffs, Bosnia and Herzegovina beat both Wales and Italy on penalties to book its place in North America. So, don’t expect Sergej Barbarez’s side to be daunted by this group, despite missing the previous two World Cups.
Even at 40 years old, Edin Džeko is still the main man for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The former Man City striker has 73 goals for his country and remains the team’s most reliable goal threat after scoring 6 times in qualifying. Outside of Džeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an inexperienced group, with Barbarez relying mostly on younger players. The likes of Amar Memić and Esmir Bajraktarević will be expected to fuel the team’s attack and feed Džeko as much as possible.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +350 | -275 | +25000 |
Qatar is making its second-ever appearance at the World Cup, and its first on merit after gaining an automatic bid as hosts in 2022. Unfortunately, regional conflicts have hampered Qatar’s preparation for the World Cup. With both March friendlies canceled, Qatar hasn’t played a competitive game since December 2025. Fortunately, Qatar boasts a highly experienced manager in Julen Lopetegui, who should have his team as ready as possible.
Qatar’s team is built around winger Akram Afif and striker Almoez Ali. Afif stars at Al Sadd and has twice won the AFC Player of the Year award. Meanwhile, Ali is Qatar’s record goal scorer with 60, but he’s coming off leg surgery. Suffice to say, Qatar will be heavily reliant on Afif, especially as the team attempts to replicate Spain’s fluid, possession-based style under Lopetegui. While Qatar will be dreaming of a Round of 32 berth, they face an uphill battle.
| To Win Group | To Qualify For RO32 | To Win World Cup |
| +2500 | +160 | +100000 |
Oh, Canada, indeed. We see the co-hosts being one of the non-favorites to claim the top spot in their group, just edging Switzerland. They have the experience now after making it back to the World Cup last time around. Qatar is lacking preparation, and Bosnia and Herzegovina doesn’t have the experience, so Canada might only need to steal a win in the final game against Switzerland to pull off the group upset.
While Switzerland’s weak attacking options might lead to an early exit in the knockout stage, progressing through Group B shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. With Canada claiming the top spot in our predictions, Switzerland earns a clear second place to move on, too.
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Odds are courtesy of BetMGM and accurate at the time of writing.
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