Preview: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – Latest News, Lineups, Absences | 2026 World Cup (06/18/2026)

For Switzerland, this is a chance to correct the damage from their opening draw. Murat Yakin’s side had enough chances to cruise past Qatar but were punished late in the game, dropping two points.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina will look to build on the Canada result, stay compact, and show they can compete with one of Europe’s most consistent tournament teams.

Latest news: absences, form, team news

Switzerland began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qatar. Breel Embolo scored from the penalty spot, but the Swiss failed to make their dominance count and conceded deep into stoppage time after Boualem Khoukhi’s header deflected in off Miro Muheim.

Bosnia and Herzegovina also opened with a 1-1 draw, taking a point against Canada in Toronto. Sergej Barbarez’s side are appearing at their first World Cup since 2014 and will feel that a second positive result would leave them with a real chance of progressing before their final group match against Qatar.

Switzerland

Yakin has no major fresh injury crisis, but he may consider changes after Switzerland’s failure to finish Qatar off. Gregor Kobel is expected to continue in goal, with Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi and Ricardo Rodríguez likely to form the defensive core. Granit Xhaka remains the key figure in midfield, supported by Remo Freuler and Denis Zakaria. Further forward, Dan Ndoye, Ruben Vargas and Embolo give Switzerland pace, physicality and directness, though Yakin may look for more efficiency in the final third.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Edin Džeko was an unused substitute in Bosnia’s opener against Canada, but national team coach Faruk Hadžibegić stressed that his player will be available for selection against Switzerland, meaning that dropping him might have been a tactical decision rather than an injury concern. Meanwhile, Haris Tabaković has returned to training with the team after recovering from an ankle injury.

Teams H2H: Head-to-head stats

These two teams have met once before at senior level, with Bosnia and Herzegovina winning that friendly 2-0 in Zurich in 2016. This will be their first-ever meeting in an international competition.

Previous meetings:

• 29/03/2016: Switzerland 0-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina (International friendly)

Predicted line-ups

Switzerland are expected to keep their back three, although Yakin could adjust the midfield balance after the Qatar draw. Bosnia and Herzegovina are likely to stay compact and use Džeko and Demirović as their main attacking outlets.

Position	–Switzerland	–Bosnia and Herzegovina
Goalkeeper	Gregor Kobel	Nikola Vasilj
Defenders	Denis Zakaria Manuel Akanji Nico Elvedi Ricardo Rodríguez	Amar Dedić Nikola Katić Tarik Muharemović Sead Kolašinac
Midfielders	Granit Xhaka Remo Freuler Michel Aebischer	Esmir Bajraktarević Ivan Bašić Benjamin Tahirović Amar Memić
Forwards	Dan Ndoye Breel Embolo Ruben Vargas	Ermedin Demirović Edin Džeko

Tactical analysis: Can Bosnia and Herzegovina stop Xhaka controlling the game?

Switzerland’s structure gives Xhaka the platform to dictate tempo, switch play and bring the wing-backs into advanced areas. Against Qatar, they created enough pressure but lacked the finishing touch to kill the game. Bosnia’s priority will be denying Switzerland easy rhythm. If Tahirović and Bašić can stay close to Xhaka and Freuler, Bosnia and Herzegovina can force Switzerland wide and make the game more predictable.

Key players to watch

Breel Embolo (Switzerland)

Embolo scored Switzerland’s goal against Qatar and gives Yakin’s side a reliable focal point. His power, movement and ability to attack crosses make him the obvious danger man in the box.

The big forward always seems to turn up at major tournaments and, in a must-win game for Switzerland, we’re predicting Embolo to score the first goal of the game.

Ermedin Demirović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Demirović gives Bosnia and Herzegovina the running power Džeko no longer provides. His ability to attack space and link midfield to attack could be crucial if Bosnia and Herzegovina spend long periods without possession.

As a forward who never lets the defenders and goalkeeper settle on the ball, Demirović often runs himself into trouble with the referee. While he remains a goal threat, the odds on him getting a yellow card are too good to ignore.

Market insights and probability predictions

Switzerland remain favourites despite dropping points in their tournament opener against Qatar.

The latest odds for the Switzerland vs. Bosnia an Herzegovina match give Switzerland approximately a 55% to 60% chance of winning, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is estimated at between 18% and 22%, with the probability of a draw ranging from 24% to 27%.