Preview: Qatar vs Switzerland – latest news, line-ups, absences – 2026 FIFA World Cup (13/06/2026)
Preview, team news, head-to-head and probable line-ups Qatar vs Switzerland in the 2026 World Cup Group B fixture
The 2026 World Cup is finally underway, and day two of the tournament sees Qatar and Switzerland meet at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, with both teams aiming to make a strong start in what could prove to be a tightly contested Group B featuring Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Switzerland arrive as strong favourites, carrying the profile of a team that has become a reliable presence at major tournaments, while Qatar return to the World Cup stage looking to show that their 2022 appearance as hosts was not a one-off moment.
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST at Levi’s Stadium, officially listed by FIFA as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Fans can find full details on where to watch Switzerland vs Qatar live, including TV and streaming information, in our dedicated viewing guide. For Qatar, even a point would feel like a statement, while for Switzerland, anything less than victory would represent a frustrating start to the tournament.
Latest news: absences, form, team news
Switzerland reached the tournament by finishing top of their qualifying group ahead of Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden. Murat Yakin’s side remained unbeaten in the group stage, recording four wins and two draws in six games where they scored 14 goals and conceded just two.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s route was far less smooth. Julen Lopetegui’s side arrive as back-to-back Asian champions, but they have also had a difficult preparation period and come into the tournament with concerns over form, having won just one of their last 12 games across all competitions.
Qatar
Lopetegui has named a 26-man squad built around the familiar attacking pillars of Akram Afif and Almoez Ali. Qatar lost 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland during their preparations before drawing 1-1 in their last friendly match ahead of the World Cup against El Salvador. Issa Laye is a doubt after being forced off in their last preparation match due to injury.
Switzerland
Switzerland have avoided major injury disruption heading into the tournament. Zeki Amdouni has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament issue, while Noah Okafor returned to action in a 1-1 friendly draw against Australia after shaking off a calf injury.
The Swiss have a settled senior core in Granit Xhaka, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez, Nico Elvedi and Remo Freuler, but there is also freshness through players such as Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder and Johan Manzambi.
Teams H2H: Head-to-head stats
Qatar and Switzerland have met only once before at senior international level, with Qatar earning a surprise friendly win in Lugano back in 2018.
Previous meetings:
- 14/11/2018: Switzerland 0-1 Qatar (International friendly)
Predicted line-ups
Switzerland are expected to line up in a back four, with Akanji featuring alongside Elvedi featuring at centre-back and Xhaka controlling the midfield. Meanwhile, Lopetegui is expected to utilise his preferred 4-3-3 formation, using Afif as their main creative outlet.
Position 
– Qatar
–SwitzerlandGoalkeeper Mahmud Abunad Gregor Kobel Defenders Midfielders Forwards
Tactical analysis: Can Qatar slow Switzerland’s rhythm?
Qatar’s best chance is to make the game awkward. Lopetegui is unlikely to encourage an open contest against a Swiss side with superior midfield control, stronger defensive organisation and more players used to high-tempo European football. That means Qatar will try to keep a compact shape, shifting to 4-5-1 while defending.
Lopetegui’s side will look to contain Xhaka – the player who dictates the tempo for the Swiss side. If they push higher, Switzerland have runners who can exploit the space behind, meaning that we should expect Qatar to sit deep and disrupt Switzerland’s game.
The longer the game stays level, the more belief Qatar will gain, but if Switzerland managed to break the deadlock relatively early, the tactical balance could quickly tilt heavily in their favour.
Key players to watch
Akram Afif (Qatar)
Afif is Qatar’s star man, their creative spark and the player most capable of turning a low-possession game into something dangerous. He was central to Qatar’s Asian Cup success and will be asked to carry a heavy attacking burden again here. If Qatar are to trouble Switzerland, it will probably come through his movement from the left and his ability to win fouls in advanced areas, as set pieces could be key in this duel.
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Xhaka remains Switzerland’s tempo-setter and emotional leader. Against a side expected to defend deep, his passing range and patience will be vital. He will be expected to move the ball quickly enough to shift Qatar’s block while also preventing counter-attacks before they develop. The Sunderland captain is also known for getting stuck into challenges and breaking up play with tactical fouls, making him a strong candidate to pick up a yellow card.
Breel Embolo (Switzerland)
With his visa issues now sorted, Embolo’s movement across centre-backs, ability to pin defenders and threat from crosses make him a strong candidate to decide the match. If Qatar sit deep, Switzerland will need someone capable of capitalising on their chances and Embolo has what it takes to be that player.
Market insights and probability predictions
Switzerland are heavy favourites in the betting markets. Current prices have the Swiss at around 77% to 80% implied probability to win, with Qatar rated at roughly 8% and the draw around 14%.
For a broader look at how bookmakers are pricing World Cup matches and the latest tournament markets, you can check the current World Cup betting odds.
There is some disagreement on the goals market, with one model leaning towards over 2.5 goals, while other market previews suggest a more controlled, lower-scoring Swiss win. That split makes the match result market look clearer than the total goals market.
At BetBrothers, our expert predictions are already live, helping you identify the best betting opportunities for every match. Get ready to make your 2026 FIFA World Cup football bets with confidence.
