A group with three very different identities
Group B is one of the quieter groups on paper but it has a really interesting shape. Canada playing at home in Toronto, Qatar coming back to a tournament just four years after hosting one, and Switzerland doing what Switzerland always does — finishing second in the group and pushing whoever they draw in the last 16.
Canada — co-hosts with a point to prove
Canada got battered at their 2022 return to the World Cup without scoring a single point, and the squad that’s assembled for 2026 looks far more settled. Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio carry the team, and the fact they’re playing most of the group phase at BMO Field in front of a Canadian crowd is a meaningful advantage. You could argue Canada should be the strongest team in this group on paper by the end of the summer, but the playoff stress of 2022 still hangs over them a bit.
The Canada 2026 kit is a confident Nike design — red maple-leaf detailing, subtle white trim, one of the cleaner releases from the home nations. Expect to see a lot of it around Toronto during the tournament.
Qatar — more experienced than people remember
Qatar qualified automatically as hosts in 2022 and this time they’ve earned their place through qualifiers, which matters. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali have been leading the attack for years and the squad that won back-to-back Asian Cups has more international tournament minutes than any other team in this group. The Qatar home kit keeps the maroon but with a more premium weave — one of the sleepers on our popularity rankings.
Switzerland — the experienced middle
The Swiss are the team everyone underrates and then loses to in the round of 16. Granit Xhaka anchors the midfield with his usual tournament seriousness and the defence is seasoned. If any team in this group is going to make the quarter-finals, historically it would be Switzerland.
The playoff winner
The fourth spot goes to the Intercontinental Playoff A winner. Without knowing the specific team it’s hard to call, but the knockout pathway to get here means this side arrives match-sharp. Don’t be shocked if they grab four points off the group.
Predicted finish
Canada top on home factor and better attack, Switzerland second because Switzerland is always second, Qatar third with a realistic shout of third-place playoff qualification in the 48-team format, playoff winner fourth. That said, Canada third in their own country is the nightmare scenario the FA will be sweating about all summer.
Kit pick of the group
Canada’s Nike release is the safer buy for style points, but the Qatar kit is the contrarian choice if you want something no one else is wearing to the pub. Both are on the shop page.
Keep reading
Try the Group C preview if you want to see how Brazil’s kit is competing. Or check our current Kit Clash leaderboard to see where Canada, Qatar and Switzerland sit among all 48 teams.