Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland Face Off in San Francisco

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match, Qatar and Switzerland face each other at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco. The match will start at 22:00 Turkey time on Saturday, June 13. Local times: Santa Clara PT 12:00, US ET 15:00, BST 20:00, CEST 21:00. The match will be officiated by Honduran referee Said Martinez. In Group B, Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina drew 1-1; this situation made making a good start critical for both teams.

Qatar under Julen Lopetegui's management is on the World Cup stage for the second time after 2022. The Maroons, who could not advance from their group in the Asian qualifiers, used their last chance by beating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in November and managed to participate in the tournament. Qatar, who successfully defended the Asian Champion title, could not win in their last six matches and lost 1-0 to Ireland at the end of May. Former Spain and Real Madrid head coach Lopetegui is trying to give the team a strong identity in the tournament. Akram Afif stands out as the leader of Qatar's attacking line.

Switzerland, managed by Murat Yakin since 2021, caught strong form by qualifying unbeaten from UEFA Group B. The team led by Granit Xhaka has not seen defeat in official matches since late 2024. Switzerland, which has an experienced backbone with Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez and Granit Xhaka, was eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Yakin's team, aiming to go further in this tournament, enters the match without injury concerns; the choice between Breel Embolo and Zeki Amdouni in the attacking midfield position draws attention.

Qatar Probable XI (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Mahmud Abunada
Defence: Ayoub Al-Oui - Pedro Miguel - Boualem Khoukhi - Homam Ahmed
Midfield: Issa Laye - Ahmed Fathi - Jassim Gaber
Attack: Yusuf Abdurisag - Akram Afif - Edmilson Junior

Switzerland Probable XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel
Defence: Silvan Widmer - Manuel Akanji - Nico Elvedi - Ricardo Rodriguez
Midfield: Granit Xhaka (C) - Remo Freuler
Attack line: Dan Ndoye - Fabian Rieder - Ruben Vargas
Forward: Breel Embolo

Image: si.com