The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for its third day of action, with Qatar making its tournament debut amid high expectations under the guidance of Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui.

Standing in its way is a formidable Switzerland side at San Francisco Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in a Group B clash that also features Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who played to a 1-1 draw on Friday, June 12, in Toronto.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Deploying a 4-3-3 formation, the Spanish coach is expected to lean heavily on players from Al Sadd, including goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham, defenders Pedro Miguel and Boualem Khoukhi, and star forward Akram Afif.

Ayoub Al-Oui of Al Gharafa and Homam Al-Amin of Spain’s Cultural Leonesa are likely to complete the back line.

In midfield, Jassem Gaber of Al Rayyan, Ahmed Fatehi of Al Arabi, and Karim Boudiaf of Al Duhail are expected to get the nod.

Further forward, fellow Al Duhail players Edmilson Junior and Almoez Ali are projected to join the attack.

QATAR'S CHALLENGE

The Maroons, who lost all three matches in their World Cup debut at Qatar 2022, are looking to earn their first-ever World Cup points and begin a redemption campaign on North American soil.

Qatar secured its place at the tournament by finishing atop Group A in the fourth round of the AFC World Cup Qualifiers, ahead of the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

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