Canada may be Group B's only top seed, but Switzerland are widely tipped to finish first on paper; Granit Xhaka leads the Swiss side while Alphonso Davies' fitness remains a key variable.
The race in World Cup 2026 Group B remains wide open, with Switzerland, Canada, Qatar and Bosnia each leaning on a key figure — and injuries and form could decide who advances.
Host Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar and Switzerland in Group B, shuttling between Toronto and Vancouver as Jesse Marsch leads a bid for the nation's first-ever knockout-round appearance.
Embolo was unable to travel to the United States with the squad after his ESTA came under additional review; the Swiss Football Association is prioritizing efforts to resolve the issue, with little time left before their World Cup opener against Qatar.
Host nation Canada are leaning on their strongest-ever squad to overturn a history of finishing bottom of the group, with Alphonso Davies' return from injury set to be pivotal; Switzerland are bound for a sixth straight World Cup after conceding just two goals in qualifying.
Switzerland defeated Jordan by four goals in St. Gallen, with Embolo, Ndoye, Xhaka and Fassnacht on the scoresheet and Tamari assisting Fakhouri for Jordan's consolation goal.
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