Just like Group A, Group B is not considered one of the strongest groups on paper in World Cup 2026. Switzerland are the highest-ranked team here in 19th, while Canada are 30th, Qatar are 55th, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are 65th in the updated FIFA world rankings. These proud nations will vie for spots in the knockout phase, with the Top 2 progressing and the third seed joining them, depending on their ranking against the other third seeds in the quadrennial tournament.
The pre-tournament World Cup 2026 odds have Switzerland as the favourites to finish within the Top 2, with Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina vying for the second guaranteed knockout berth. Meanwhile, Qatar, last tournament’s hosts, are expected to finish last.
There should be enough World Cup 2026 highlights to go by from this group, as these four teams have enough firepower. And today, SBOTOP lists the best players here in Group B.
Jonathan David, Canada
Jonathan David will be tasked with shouldering a massive workload for Canada, and the Juventus striker must deliver for them to have a chance to get out of Group B. The 26-year-old is the Canucks’ all-time leading scorer with 39 goals in 75 caps. David recorded the national team’s last two international goals when he had a second-half brace in an exhibition match against Iceland last March.
In club football, David has enjoyed a solid first full season with Juventus after spending five years at Lille. With Dusan Vlahovic on the sidelines for several months due to a leg injury, David emerged as the Bianconeri’s No. 9 and has become their second-leading scorer with six goals and four assists in 34 Serie A appearances. Unfortunately for them, David’s exploits in the final third weren’t enough to propel Juventus to the Champions League next term.
David can use the World Cup to extend his scoring record with the national team. But of course, his main focus is to outdo their last-place finish in the group stage in 2022, where they lost all their games against Morocco, Croatia, and Belgium.
But unlike before, David will have a stronger supporting cast in the final third, with Tajon Buchanan, Jacob Shaffelburg, Tani Oluwaseyi, and Cyle Larin – their second-leading scorer with 30 goals in 88 caps -by his side.
Ermedin Demirovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina are back in the World Cup after being absent in 2018 and 2022, having overcome an arduous journey in the UEFA qualifiers a few months ago. After finishing second in Group H, the Golden Lilies were thrust into Path A of the play-offs, and they beat Wales and Italy (via penalties) to book their tickets to the quadrennial tournament.
Edin Dzeko and Haris Tabakovic were the heroes for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Path A, and they figure to be the country’s top threats in the final third. Dzeko is their all-time top scorer and appearances leader with 73 goals in 148 caps, while Tabakovic is fresh from a solid Bundesliga campaign with Borussia Monchengladbach.
However, putting a huge workload on an older Dzeko’s shoulders might not be sustainable, and Tabakovic is likely out of the World Cup due to a severe ankle injury, so we’re looking at Ermedin Demirovic to emerge as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top star in the quadrennial competition.
Demirovic is one of the driving forces behind VfB Stuttgart’s return to the Champions League. The 28-year-old forward is Die Schwaben’s second-leading scorer with 12 goals and three assists, and has provided some key assists during his nation’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
Granit Xhaka, Switzerland
Switzerland have secured their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance after finishing first in Group B of the UEFA qualifiers, going undefeated in six group stage games (W4, D2). Granit Xhaka played a pivotal role during that run, scoring the important goals in their two games against Sweden. The skipper is the team’s default penalty taker, and he converted twice from the spot in their two matches against the Blue and Yellow.
The 33-year-old midfielder is also the catalyst behind Sunderland’s successful Premier League comeback this term. With one goal and six assists, Xhaka is the Black Cats’ top playmaker and is the team’s heart and soul.
It’s no surprise that Xhaka is Switzerland’s most-capped player with 144 appearances, and his vast experience will come in handy this summer. Swiss fans shouldn’t expect much production out of him in the World Cup, but you can bet that he’ll always give it his all every match.
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