World Cup Group B 2026: Schedule, Teams & Standings
Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played from June 12 to June 24, 2026, and it offers a mix of pressure, pedigree, and uncertainty. Canada enter as co-hosts with history hanging over them. Switzerland arrive as the most reliable side in the group. Qatar look to move on from a painful home tournament in 2022. One European playoff team will complete the group, with heavyweights still in the race.
Fans should care because margins will be thin. Home advantage, travel distance, and final-day matchups could decide everything. With the expanded format, even third place might be enough — but only if teams manage the group smartly.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 12–24, 2026 |
| Teams | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff Path A winner |
| Matchdays | 3 |
| Qualification rules | Top two qualify, third place may advance |
| Host cities | Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle |
World Cup Group B 2026 Teams
Canada
Canada play with speed and emotion, relying on quick transitions and wide attacks.
Alphonso Davies drives the team forward from the left with pace that changes games. Jonathan David leads the line and remains the main goal threat. Jesse Marsch’s coaching emphasizes pressing and energy.
The strength is atmosphere. Toronto and Vancouver crowds will be intense. The weakness is finishing. Canada have scored only two goals across six World Cup matches.
Realistic group target: Beat Qatar and push for second place.
Switzerland
Switzerland bring control, discipline, and tournament experience.
Granit Xhaka dictates tempo in midfield. Manuel Akanji anchors the back line. Yann Sommer offers reliability in goal. Switzerland rarely collapse and usually handle group stages efficiently.
Their weakness appears later in tournaments. Against top opposition, they struggle to turn control into knockout wins.
Realistic group target: Finish first or safely second.
Qatar
Qatar rely on structure, familiarity, and patience on the ball.
Almoez Ali remains the main scorer after his Asian Cup success. Hassan Al-Haydos provides leadership and experience. Their recent continental titles show they can manage tournaments at their level.
Against stronger teams, physicality and pace remain problems. Defensive lapses cost them heavily in 2022.
Realistic group target: Compete for points and avoid finishing bottom.
UEFA Playoff Path A Winner (to be confirmed)
The final Group B spot will be decided in March 2026.
Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are involved. Italy stand out on history and talent, with four World Cup titles and a Euro 2020 win. However, recent qualification failures mean nothing is guaranteed.
The playoff winner will arrive sharp but with limited recovery time.
Realistic group target: Challenge Canada for second place.
World Cup Group B 2026 Schedule & Fixtures (ET)
| Date | Match | Matchday | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | Canada vs UEFA Playoff A | Matchday 1 | 3:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Saturday, June 13 | Qatar vs Switzerland | Matchday 1 | 3:00 PM | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco |
| Wednesday, June 18 | Switzerland vs UEFA Playoff A | Matchday 2 | 3:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| Wednesday, June 18 | Canada vs Qatar | Matchday 2 | 6:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Tuesday, June 24 | Switzerland vs Canada | Matchday 3 | 3:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Tuesday, June 24 | UEFA Playoff A vs Qatar | Matchday 3 | 3:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
Canada benefit from shorter travel and familiar conditions. Switzerland and Qatar face longer flights across the West Coast, which could affect recovery, especially ahead of Matchday 3.
For the complete match calendar across all groups and knockout rounds, the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule provides a broader view of how Group B matches align with the rest of the tournament.
World Cup Group B 2026 Venues
BMO Field – Toronto
Compact and loud, with around 30,000 fans close to the pitch. A clear advantage for Canada in the opener.
Levi’s Stadium – San Francisco
A large venue with neutral conditions. Crowd energy will depend on traveling support.
SoFi Stadium – Los Angeles
Modern and enclosed, removing weather factors. Ideal for teams that value possession.
BC Place – Vancouver
Hosts two matches. The artificial surface and closed roof change match tempo.
Lumen Field – Seattle
Known for noise and atmosphere. Pressure can rise quickly for less experienced teams.
World Cup Group B Standings
| POS | TEAM | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | UEFA Playoff A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standings update after each match.
Teams are ranked by points, then goal difference, goals scored, and head-to-head results.
World Cup 2026 Group B Qualification Rules
The top two teams qualify automatically for the Round of 32.
Some third-placed teams also advance based on overall group rankings.
Goal difference and discipline can be decisive.
Key Group B Storylines
- Canada handling home pressure in front of massive crowds
- Switzerland aiming for calm, efficient qualification
- Qatar trying to erase memories of 2022
- UEFA playoff winner changing the group balance
- Final-day matches played simultaneously
- Travel fatigue affecting non-host teams
Group B Predictions
Switzerland are expected to control the group.
Canada and the playoff winner could battle until the final day.
Qatar face a difficult path but may still influence qualification.
Nothing is settled early in this group.
Fan FAQ
When does World Cup Group B 2026 start?
June 12, 2026.
Which teams are in World Cup Group B 2026?
Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and a UEFA playoff winner.
Where is Canada’s opening match played?
At BMO Field in Toronto.
How many teams qualify from Group B?
At least two, possibly three.
Is Italy confirmed in Group B?
No. Italy must qualify through the UEFA playoffs.
When is the final Group B matchday?
June 24, 2026.
Which stadium hosts the most Group B matches?
BC Place in Vancouver.
