Qatar face Switzerland in Santa Clara on Saturday with the chance to top the standings early on in their World Cup Group B campaigns.
Canada’s draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday means one of the teams can move into pole position.
The odds lie heavily in favour of Switzerland, who will fancy themselves to make a strong start in the tournament.
But the 2022 hosts are capable of springing a surprise.
🎥 | The first #FIFAWorldCup challenge for #AlAnnabi 🔥#AllForQatar pic.twitter.com/1ptTw60K4l
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) June 13, 2026
Table of Contents
Qatar team news
Ahmed Fathy replaces Assim Madibo in midfield in Qatar’s one change from their 0-0 draw with El Salvador in Los Angeles on June 6.
Left-winger Akram Afif, who plays for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, is a two-time Asian Footballer of the Year.
Qatar starting XI: Mahmoud Abunada, Ayoub Al Oui, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Homam El Amin, Jassem Gaber, Assim Madibo, Issa Laye, Edmílson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif
Qatar substitutes: Meshaal Barsham, Lucas Mendes, Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed Alaa, Mohammed Muntari, Hassan Al Haydos, Karim Boudiaf, Ahmed Al Ganehi, Sultan Al Brake, Almoez Ali, Ahmed Fathy, Salah Zakaria, Tahsin Mohammed, Al Hashmi Al Hussain, Mohammad Al Mannai
Switzerland team news
Switzerland make three alterations from their 1-1 draw with Australia in San Diego a week ago, bringing in midfielder Denis Zakaria and forwards Breel Embolo and Ruben Vargas.
Embolo joined the squad late because the former Swiss Footballer of the Year’s visa approval was delayed. Silvan Widmer, Zeki Amdouni and Eray Comert move to the bench.
Switzerland starting XI: Gregor Kobel, Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Michel Aebischer, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez, Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas
Switzerland substitutes: Yvon Mvogo, Miro Muheim, Silvan Widmer, Johan Manzambi, Ardon Jashari, Djibril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Eray Comert, Noah Okafor, Marvin Keller, Fabian Rieder, Zeki Amdouni, Aurele Amenda, Luca Jaquez, Cedric Itten
Where to watch Qatar v Switzerland: TV and online streams
Qatar versus Switzerland kicks off on Saturday at 20:00 BST. You can watch it on ITV 1 and stream via ITVX.
Click HERE for a full World Cup TV guide
Stats for Qatar v Switzerland
- Qatar finished bottom of their group at the 2022 World Cup – they lost all three of their matches, conceding seven goals and scoring only one.
- Among sides that played at least 10 games in the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers, Qatar’s games produced more goals per game than any other side (3.61). Of AFC sides to reach the World Cup, Qatar lost more games than any other nation (5).
- Switzerland last reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1954, when the tournament was played on home soil. Since then, they’ve never progressed past the second round.
- Switzerland are one of only two European teams to have reached the knockout stages in each of the last six major international tournaments (WC + EURO) alongside France.
- Breel Embolo, Switzerland’s top goal scorer in the qualifying campaign with four goals, is one of only five players to have scored multiple goals in both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Euros along with Harry Kane, Kai Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug and Cody Gakpo.
Prediction for Qatar v Switzerland
Switzerland will have too much nous for Qatar and Lopetegui’s side will do well to keep the score down.
Prediction: Qatar 0-4 Switzerland
You Should Also Read
