Granit Xhaka remains Switzerland’s midfield leader and captain. | Photo Credit: AFP

Qatar will begin its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Switzerland in a Group B match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday.

This will be Qatar’s second World Cup appearance, after making its debut as host in 2022. The 2026 edition is also its first World Cup after coming through the qualification route.

Switzerland, meanwhile, is playing its sixth consecutive World Cup and will look to begin strongly in a group that also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Qatar vs Switzerland head-to-head

Matches played: 1

Qatar wins: 1

Switzerland wins: 0

Draws: 0

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Form guide Qatar:

Last five matches: D-L-L-D-L

• Qatar 0-0 El Salvador
• Ireland 1-0 Qatar
• Qatar 0-3 Tunisia
• Syria 1-1 Qatar
• Qatar 0-1 Palestine

Form guide Switzerland:

Last five matches: D-W-D-L-D

• Switzerland 1-1 Australia
• Switzerland 4-1 Jordan
• Norway 0-0 Switzerland
• Switzerland 3-4 Germany
• Kosovo 1-1 Switzerland

ALSO READ: Switzerland FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview: Swiss look for triumph in transition at WC

Qatar predicted XI:

Mahmud Abunada, Ayoub Al Oui, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Homam Elamin; Issa Laye, Ahmed Fathi, Jassem Gaber; Edmilson Junior, Almoez Ali, Akram Afif.

Switzerland predicted XI:

Gregor Kobel, Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez; Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka; Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder, Rubén Vargas; Breel Embolo.

Published on Jun 13, 2026