Bosnia-Qatar's final-game shootout: the loser is out

In the final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match, Bosnia & Herzegovina face Qatar in what is effectively a knockout game at the Lumen Field in Seattle. Both nations need a win; three points would keep alive their chances of a top-two finish, though a sizeable goal-difference swing would be required, while victory would all but guarantee progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. A draw between the two would almost certainly eliminate both.

Both sides suffered heavy defeats in their second games: Bosnia & Herzegovina lost 4-1 to Switzerland, and nine-man Qatar were thrashed 6-0 by hosts Canada. But their opening-game draws keep their knockout dreams alive. Although little separates the two on paper, the European side, Bosnia & Herzegovina, are tipped as favourites. Sergej Barbarez has a much stronger squad than counterpart Julen Lopetegui: physicality, aerial threat and quality in the final third. While 40-year-old Edin Džeko is still capable of delivering, young forwards such as Kerim Alajbegović and Esmir Bajraktarević provide explosiveness out wide. Bosnia are without centre-back Tarik Muharemović, sent off against Switzerland and suspended; Dennis Hadžikadunić comes in.

For Qatar, the picture is worse. The 6-0 rout by Canada shook the Asian side's morale. On top of that, Qatar go into this game with two suspended players: Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo, both sent off against Canada, cannot play. Lopetegui's side will lean heavily on Akram Afif for their creativity.

Sports Illustrated did not share a clear score prediction for this game, but did name both teams' probable XIs. Per SI, whether from a set piece or an individual moment of magic, Bosnia & Herzegovina are the side closest to claiming a first win of the tournament and all but securing their qualifying ticket.

Probable XIs
Bosnia & Herzegovina (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedić, Katić, Hadžikadunić, Kolašinac; Bajraktarević, Tahirović, Šunjić, Memić; Demirović, Džeko
Qatar (4-3-3): Abunada; Al Oui, Miguel, Khoukhi, Al Brake; Gaber, Fathy, Laye; Edmilson, Abdurisag, Afif

Source: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated