Asian Champions Face Swiss Test in Group B Opener
Two-time Asian champions Qatar begin their second World Cup campaign against a seasoned Switzerland side looking to build on their Euro 2024 quarter-final run.
Qatar enter this tournament as back-to-back Asian Cup winners (2019 and 2023) and are desperate to improve on their 2022 performance where they lost all three group games. Now under the guidance of Julen Lopetegui, they topped their final qualifying group ahead of the UAE. However, momentum has stalled in 2026; they are winless in five matches and come off a 0-0 draw with El Salvador and a 1-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland.
Switzerland, managed by Murat Yakin, arrived in California in robust form, having lost just one of their last 14 matches—a narrow 4-3 defeat to Germany. The Nati went unbeaten through their UEFA qualifying group and recently warmed up with a 4-1 victory over Jordan and a 1-1 draw against Australia. They are aiming to secure an early advantage in a group they are heavily favoured to progress from.
Goals scored and conceded.
Per-game averages at this tournament — updates as the games are played.
Both teams across every game at this tournament.
QatarSwitzerland
Every tournament game combined — Qatar 3 games, Switzerland 6 games.
QatarSwitzerlandPast meetings.
Their recent form.
The road to the final.
Twelve groups into a 32-team knockout · 72 of 72 group games played · fills in as every result lands.
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