World Cup Group B Predictions & Betting Tips
Will Jackson 
Scott McGlynn
Group B is the weakest of the twelve groups on paper but it is far from boring. Co-hosts Canada open the group at BMO Field in Toronto on 12 June, and they have been handed a draw that gives them a genuine chance of progressing as group winners.
Switzerland, Qatar and the romantic story of Bosnia & Herzegovina - fresh from knocking out Italy on penalties in the playoff final - complete the group.
By average ranking this is comfortably the most navigable group in the tournament, but the headline story is whether Bosnia can carry their playoff momentum into a meaningful tournament run.
There is genuine each-way value in this group, particularly if you fancy Canada to use home advantage.
Browse our World Cup free bets before you place your bets on Group B.
Group B Teams & Form
Canada
Jesse Marsch's Canada are at their second consecutive World Cup after returning to the tournament in 2022. They have improved markedly under the American coach, with Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David providing the spine of an attacking unit that has scored regularly in CONCACAF qualifying.
Home advantage at BMO Field will be considerable, and Marsch has built the team around fast transitions that suit the artificial surface.
Switzerland
Murat Yakin's Switzerland reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, knocking out Italy along the way, and they qualified comfortably from a UEFA group containing Slovenia, Sweden and Kosovo.
The Nati are a solid tournament side built around Granit Xhaka and Manuel Akanji, but they lack the firepower to genuinely worry the bigger nations.
They are the most experienced side in the group and likely the strongest on paper.
Qatar
The 2022 hosts return, but they arrive in worse shape than at their home tournament. Qatar lost all three group-stage matches in 2022 and their preparation has been quieter than four years ago.
Akram Afif remains the standout creative talent, and Carlos Queiroz brings tournament experience to the dugout. They are likely the weakest side in the group.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia's playoff win over Italy on 31 March was one of the most dramatic qualifying nights in years.
Trailing to a Moise Kean opener and reduced to 10 men against them, Bosnia equalised through Haris Tabakovic and won 4-1 on penalties to send Italy to a third straight World Cup absence.
Edin Dzeko remains the focal point of the attack despite his age, and Bosnia have nothing to fear after that playoff run.
Group B Predictions
Switzerland and Canada look the most likely to top the group, with the Swiss given the slight edge in the betting. The Canadians' home advantage at BMO Field could tip a tight margin, and we like them as the marginal value play. Both should reach the Round of 32 comfortably given the kind format.
Bosnia have the playoff momentum and the experience to push for second place. They are not a fluke qualifier - they came through Path A on merit - and they could realistically finish above either Canada or Switzerland if those sides stutter.
Qatar are the most likely team to finish bottom and the most likely team to fail to progress. Their squad simply does not match up against the other three.
Group B Betting Tips
Find more analysis on every fixture in our World Cup 2026 tips hub as the tournament approaches, but here are three top prices and pre-tournament tips to use with our free bets.
Tip 1: Canada to Qualify From Group B
Canada have three matches at home, an established attacking pair in Davies and David, and a coach who has elevated this side considerably. They should be capable of beating Qatar and pushing either Switzerland or Bosnia hard enough to finish in the top three.
Backing Canada to qualify rather than to win the group is the smart play. The price on a top-three finish for the hosts is short but it is also one of the safer plays on the entire group stage board.
Tip 2: Bosnia & Herzegovina to Reach the Round of 32
Bosnia's playoff momentum should not be dismissed. They beat Wales and Italy back-to-back in March, both away from home, and Edin Dzeko remains a difference-maker at this level. The format gives the eight best third-placed teams a route through, and Bosnia look likely to claim either second or third in the group.
The price on Bosnia to qualify offers genuine value compared to Switzerland and Canada, both of whom are priced as near-certainties.
Tip 3: Bet Builder - Switzerland to win the group, Bosnia + Canada to qualify
This bet builder backs the strongest side to win the group, and for Bosnia or Canada to emerge as one of the best third-placed finishers. Qatar are expected to be whipping boys in this group, so a win apiece should mean that all three qualify for the knockout stages.
It's unlikely any of these sides will be contenders heading into the latter stages of the tournament, but it should make for a pretty even group with some good games - so don't be surprised if Switzerland are given a bit of a surprise.
Market Outlook
Switzerland are narrow favourites to top Group B, with co-hosts Canada priced as close challengers thanks to home advantage. Bosnia are mid-market third favourites and Qatar sit at the longest prices. The qualification market is short on all four sides given the new three-from-four format, but the value lies in third-place outcomes.
You can compare prices for this group across all major UK betting sites on our World Cup 2026 odds page.
Odds are subject to change. 18+ only. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org.
Group B fixtures
- Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 12 June, 20:00 BST, BMO Field, Toronto
- Qatar vs Switzerland - 13 June, 20:00 BST
- Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina - 18 June, 20:00 BST
- Canada vs Qatar - 18 June, 23:00 BST
- Switzerland vs Canada - 24 June, 20:00 BST
- Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar - 24 June, 20:00 BST
