Asian champions Qatar begin their World Cup campaign on Saturday, looking to banish the memories of their dismal home tournament in 2022 when they lost all three group games. The Middle East nation faces a tough opening Group B match in San Francisco bay area stadium, Sant Clara taking on a Switzerland side that are unbeaten in competitive matches since late 2024. With Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina drawing 1-1 in their opener on Friday, both Qatar and Switzerland will be eyeing the chance to take control of the group with a victory on the US West Coast.
Qatar return to the world stage four years after their home World Cup went sour, where they lost all three matches in 2022 and scored a solitary goal. Since that disappointing tournament, Qatar have enjoyed success, winning the 2023 Asian Cup to defend their title. They also qualified for this World Cup under their own steam, securing their spot in North America with a 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in October 2025. Their qualification campaign was revitalised after former Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui took charge in May 2025.
Switzerland are making their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, a feat matched only in Europe by France, Spain, England, Portugal and Germany. But the Swiss have little to show for it, with round-of-16 exits in five of their past six appearances, and their last quarterfinal back in 1954. The European nation is hoping for more in this World Cup and the team comes into the tournament in a confident mood, after going unbeaten in qualification, conceding just two goals. Switzerland have largely stuck with the same group from the last World Cup, which includes emerging talents like Dan Ndoye and versatile newcomer Johan Manzambi in attack, supported by the dependable Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez.
With Canada and Bosnia currently tied on one point apiece in Group B, a positive result for either nation in this opener will provide a crucial platform for qualification to the newly introduced round of 32 stage.
Match Details
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Date: 13/06/2026
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Location: San Francisco, United States
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Stadium: San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
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Kick-off Time: 12:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT)
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Last Meeting: Switzerland 0-1 Qatar (2018, International Friendly)
Team News
Qatar
Julen Lopetegui has no issues on the injury front, with a fully fit squad to choose from for this opening fixture. He will likely stick with his trusted attacking trio of Edmilson Junior, Akram Afif, and Yusuf Abdurisag in a 4-3-3 formation as they look to secure Qatar’s first-ever World Cup points.
Switzerland
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin also boasts a squad completely free of injury concerns ahead of their World Cup opener. His main selection headache focuses on choices in the final third, where Breel Embolo and Zeki Amdouni are actively pushing for starts in the attacking line.
Form
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Qatar (all competitions): D L L D L
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Switzerland (all competitions): D W D L D
Predicted Lineups
Qatar Possible XI: Mahmud Abunada; Ayoub Al-Oui, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Homam Ahmed; Issa Laye, Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber; Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior
Switzerland Possible XI: Gregor Kobel; Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder, Dan Ndoye; Zeki Amdouni
Match Prediction
Qatar’s preparations for the World Cup have been far from ideal, with geopolitical tensions forcing the postponement of key friendlies against Serbia and Argentina, leaving them with only two match appearances this year.
While Qatar managed to stun Switzerland with a 1-0 friendly win back in 2018 courtesy of an Akram Afif goal, the Swiss side enters this tournament on a much more stable competitive footing, having gone unbeaten through their entire qualification campaign. Expect a highly disciplined performance from Switzerland’s veteran core to carry them through a tight opening match.
How to Watch
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Qatar: beIN SPORTS
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Switzerland: SRG SSR
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United Kingdom: ITV
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United States: FOX
- India: Zee5
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