Another 3 former hosts and a second-timer.
I’m back with a look at Group B which includes the second of this World Cup’s three hosts, 2022’s hosts in their first tournament as qualifiers, and two European nations who’ll want to upset them.
Canada
The manager
Jesse Marsch. The former RB Leipzig and Leeds manager has been with Canada since 2024 and has done well for himself, with a 4th place finish in at the 2024 Copa América and 3rd place at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Last World Cup
In their first World Cup since 1986, Canada repeated that record by losing all three group matches but they did manage to score twice in the process. They’ll want to do better as hosts and they have a great opportunity to do so.
Who’s getting the goals
Jonathan David and Cyle Larin are the key men up front, with 69 international goals between them. David joined Juventus this season after a brilliant time with Lille which included a Ligue 1 title. Larin got 9 in 22 for Southampton on loan and just made the move permanent on Friday 5th June.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Wolverine: Adamantium Rage. It should be miles better than it is given the material but in the end, there’s just frustration.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The manager
Sergej Barbarez. The former Bosnian captain finally became manager after a failed attempt in 2009 and brought them to their second ever World Cup thanks to their famous play-off win against Italy. Aside from football, Barbarez also played professional poker so he’ll surely know how to handle pressure and when to take risks.
Last World Cup
Bosnia qualified for their first ever World Cup in 2014 and grabbed a win against Iran in their final game. They didn’t qualify for the round of 16 but a maiden win was an amazing achievement and something to build on this time around.
Who’s getting the goals
Edin Džeko, the Bosnian Diamond. He’s 40 and still playing at the highest level and will want to do all he can for his nation in what would surely be his final international tournament. Haris Tabaković had a great season for Borussia Mönchengladbach on loan, scoring 15 in 35. Ermedin Demirović also dominated in Germany, scoring 15 in 38 for Stuttgart.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Overwatch. Plenty of fans and talent up front but overshadowed by bigger and better teams.
Qatar
The manager
Julen Lopetegui. You may remember him from such jobs as manager of Spanish national team, Real Madrid for a few months, Sevilla, Wolves, and West Ham. Now he’s at Qatar and aiming to get them out of the group.
Last World Cup
That’d be the one they hosted in 2022. There was a lot of controversy around them winning the bid and human rights violations and it all amounted to them not getting out of the group stage. Not the best showing.
Who’s getting the goals
On paper, there are plenty of options: captain Hassan Al-Haydos, Mohammed Muntari, Akram Afif, and all-time goal scorer Almoez Ali. But they only managed a single goal last time so they might be firing blanks in North America.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Sim City. A helluva lot of money is yours if you know the cheat code but things get unwieldy very fast and suddenly you’re not managing things properly and it all crashes and burns.
Switzerland
The manager
Murat Yakin. The Swiss legend has been in charge since 2021 and lead them to the quarter finals at Euro 2020, famously beating France on penalties in the round of 16. He also got them to the round of 16 in the World Cup in Qatar so he knows what he’s doing.
Last World Cup
As above, they got out of their group in 2022 but fell to Portugal in a 6–1 thrashing.
Who’s getting the goals
Breel Embolo has the most goals of anyone in the squad and scored 10 goals in 34 games for Rennes last season. Granit Xhaka will surely pop up for a goal given half a chance. Cedric Itten hasn’t scored for Switzerland but he’s had a good season with Fortuna Düsseldorf.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Pokémon Red/Blue. A strong and influential history followed by a makeover years later which had people getting excited again.