Qatar went out of its own 2022 World Cup in the group stage. Four years on, the Qataris are in World Cup 2026 Group B with Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the betting-data site Footlab rates them clear outsiders.
Footlab puts Switzerland and Canada ahead of the pack. Its estimates give the Swiss about a 75 percent chance of direct qualification and Canada about 70. Bosnia and Herzegovina sit at roughly 28 percent, Qatar at 12.
Switzerland and Canada
Switzerland has been one of Europe’s steadier national teams for more than a decade. Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen and Manuel Akanji of Manchester City anchor a side built on defensive organization and quick transitions. Footlab’s concern is a lack of attacking firepower and a reliance on key individuals.
Canada, as co-host, plays in front of home crowds, which Footlab says can tip tight matches. It lists Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich and Jonathan David of Lille among the squad’s best players, and calls this Canada’s strongest footballing era. After a disappointing group exit in 2022, the site says, the team is more mature. The weak spot it names is host pressure and thin experience in deep tournament runs.
Bosnia and Qatar
Bosnia and Herzegovina are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Footlab says the Dzeko era is over and a younger, technically gifted group has taken over. It credits them with attacking talent and team spirit, and flags defensive vulnerabilities. Their route there ran through a playoff.
Qatar’s program has moved forward since 2022, the site says, but its technical level sits below the other three. Beating Bosnia would be “a significant statement of intent.”
Fixtures to watch
Switzerland against Canada is expected to decide first place. Canada against Qatar is a home match Canada must win to all but seal qualification. Bosnia against Qatar is the contest for third place.
The format helps the smaller sides. In the 48-team tournament the top two from each group go straight to the round of 16, and the best third-placed teams get a second-chance playoff.
