Asian champions Qatar to face Switzerland on Group B match

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, 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. They lost all three matches in 2022 and scored a solitary goal, in an unprecedented low for a tournament host.

Since that disappointing tournament, Qatar have enjoyed success, winning the 2023 Asian Cup to defend their title in that competition.

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.

Meanwhile, 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.

These two teams have only met once before, with Qatar stunning Switzerland 1-0 back in 2018.

An 88th-minute winner from Akram Afif was the difference as Qatar overcame an 88-place gap in the FIFA ranks to win an international friendly in Lugano.

Qatar’s predicted starting XI:
Mahmud Abunada (goalkeeper); Ayoub Al-Oui, Boualem Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Homam Ahmed; Issa Laye, Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber; Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior

Switzerland’s predicted starting XI:
Gregor Kobel (goalkeeper); Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Ruben Vargas, Fabian Rieder, Dan Ndoye; Zeki Amdouni.