The Qatar national team will face a stern test in its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when it takes on Switzerland.

San Francisco Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host the second Group B encounter, following the 1-1 draw between co-host Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

THE TRUSTED CORE

This is how the side coached by Alexander Frei is expected to line up, with the Swiss manager likely to deploy an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation.

Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel would be protected by a back four featuring Silvan Widmer of Germany’s Mainz 05, Manuel Akanji of Italy’s Inter Milan, Nico Elvedi of Borussia Mönchengladbach, and veteran defender Ricardo Rodríguez of Spain’s Real Betis.

In midfield, Remo Freuler of Italy’s Bologna, star playmaker Granit Xhaka of England’s Sunderland, and Dan Ndoye of Nottingham Forest are expected to control the tempo.

Up front, Johan Manzambi of Germany’s Freiburg, Rubin Vargas of Spain’s Sevilla, and Breel Embolo of France’s Rennes will look to provide the firepower and threaten the Qatar defense at the home of the San Francisco 49ers.

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