World Cup Previews: Group B
Group B kicks off on the second day of the tournament, with hosts Canada taking on Bosnia in Toronto. It’s another tough one to call, with plenty of talent across all four sides with no real standout team that look like they could take the group by storm. Everyone will fancy themselves, but who will advance? It’s time for the second run down. Introducing: Group B!
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Qualifying
Bosnia are another side that made it here the hard way, through the European play-off system. They only lost once in their group, but still finished behind a dominant Austria, a final day draw between the two of them cemented the Balkan side’s place in the play-offs when a victory would’ve seen them qualify automatically.
They then faced the tricky task of taking on Wales in Cardiff. Dan James put the home side 1-0 up, but a late goal from a 40 year-old Edin Dzeko levelled things up and the game went to penalties, with Bosnia winning 4-2 from the spot. One huge test down, but their final opponents were World Cup giants Italy.
The Italians had missed the last two, and were staring down the barrel of watching a third successive World Cup from home as they travelled to face Bosnia in Zenica. Moise Kean gave the Azurri an early lead, before Alessandro Bastoni earned himself a needless red card before half-time. This left the door open for the Bosnians, and they took full advantage. Haris Tabakovic brought the game back level as he bundled in a rebound, and it was penalties once again for a place in this year’s finals. It was a nervy affair but, after misses from Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante, American born Esmir Bajraktarevic scored the decisive spot kick to send the nation of his heritage to the World Cup in his home. If you haven’t seen the clips, I implore you to check out the scenes.
I am from Bosnia, take me to America.
One To Watch
Young Bajraktarevic is also my one to watch for the Bosnians! The 21 year-old has had a breakout season for PSV this year after joining the Dutch giants from New England Revolution in 2024. At the same time, he defected from his youth national team allegiance of the USA to play for the Bosnian first team, and he’s never looked back.
Mainly deployed out on the right, he has managed 4 goals and 4 assists in the Eredivisie this season, however 2 of each of those were in a 6-1 thrashing of PEC Zwolle at the end of April.
He’s an all-action winger, capable of creating chances, beating his opponent on the dribble, and more than happy to contribute defensively. His all-action youthful exuberance will be key to Bosnia advancing through a challenging, but winnable group. Keep an eye out for him bombing up and down that right-hand side this summer!
Canada
Qualifying
The second of 3 hosts, Canada also didn’t have to go through the rigmarole of qualification. Their Gold Cup showing wasn’t nearly as good as their Mexican counterparts however, bowing out at the quarter final stage to Guatemala on penalties. They’ve played a number of friendlies since, with spirited draws against Colombia and Ecuador in the mix as well as a respectable win in Wales. You can only read so much into friendlies, and their results haven’t even been that impressive, Jesse Marsch’s side will be hoping the home advantage can drag them through to the knockouts.
One To Watch
Canada have had a number of standout players over the last few years, but with Alphonso Davies struggling for fitness and Jonathan David not exactly setting the world alight in Turin, industrious Sassuolo midfielder Ismaël Koné could be the key figure in the middle of the park holding Canada together and allowing their stars to shine.
I know what you’re thinking: “Hang on! You mean Ismaël Koné who played for Watford for two season from 2022 to 2024?!” Yes! The very same. After spells in Marseille and Rennes, the Canadian has settled in Italy this season and is playing the best football of his career. He scored on 6 occasions for Sassuolo this year, including one against each of the Milan clubs, and dominated midfields with his high-volume passing, excellent long-ball technique, and ability to dribble through tight spaces to create openings for his teammates. He works hard in the heart of midfield and is the perfect player to keep things ticking along and facilitate Canada’s more talented forwards to play their natural game. After a few years on the fringes of Europe’s elite, I believe this tournament could thrust Koné into the limelight.
Qatar
Qualifying
Asian qualification is a long and arduous path that I honestly believe the teams involved barely understand, never mind me? The Qataris eased through the initial stage in dominant fashion before coming unstuck at the second hurdle and being forced to compete in a 3 team last-chance group to clinch automatic qualification. To make it as fair as possible on their opponents Oman and the UAE, all of these games were played in… Qatar. Of course, I’d never suggest that 2022 hosts Qatar had been given an advantage by the governing football bodies in any way, because I value my life, but it certainly played into their hands. What a lucky break for the Qataris, at last! A draw against Oman and victory over the UAE, with some ugly post-match scenes, was enough to seal Qatar’s place at back-to-back World Cups for the first time. They’ll hope to put on a better showing than the disgrace that was 2022.
One To Watch
Winger Akram Afif was the architect in their successes over UAE, assisting both goals, and the ever-present forward is certainly still the best player on their national team by far. Now aged 29, Afif managed 15 goals and 12 assists in 22 Qatar Stars League games this time out, impressive numbers nonetheless despite the lack in quality of the division. Very little data exists for this league, and my appetite for tuning in to the Qatari league is, admittedly, less than zero, so I can’t tell you much about Afif other than the fact he is a relentless goalscorer and provider. He hit 18 goals and 14 assists in 22 games the season prior to this one, and 26 and 11 in 22 the year before. The man scores goals, that can’t be argued. He has a European football upbringing too, spending his younger days at Eupen in Belgium and a short spell at Sporting Gijon in La Liga.
His talent far outweighs that of his colleagues and, if Qatar are to pull of a miraculous knockout round appearance, you can be certain it’ll be down to Akram Afif.
Switzerland
Qualifying
The Swiss topped a relatively tricky qualifying group, and did it unbeaten. Despite the obvious talent of Sweden, and the hard-working tenacity of Slovenia and Kosovo, Switzerland emerged unscathed to make yet another World Cup appearance. They’re becoming regulars at this.
They also only conceded twice along the way, once in a 4-1 thrashing of Sweden and another in a 1-1 draw in Kosovo after qualification was already secured. Their defence move prowess didn’t make them goal-shy either, with 14 goals in their 6 qualifying matches they earned their spot at this tournament through sheer quality.
With no Xerdan Shaqiri at their disposal this time, one question remains: Who in this Swiss squad can step into his little boots and score a goal of the tournament contender in an early group game?
They’ve been handed a relatively kind draw here, can they take advantage?
One To Watch
Switzerland are used to the aforementioned Xerdan Shaqiri being their talisman at big tournaments, but with him out of the picture it’s time for some new blood to take centre stage. Granit Xhaka will be a key figure in midfield, and Manuel Akanji’s experience at the very top will be vital to their defensive solidity.
My pick, however, is Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye. The winger has had a tricky debut campaign in England, with just 2 goals and an assist to his name, he’s found minutes hard to come by as he vies to impress his fourth head coach of the year. On the international stage, however, he’s been a different person. With 5 goals and 3 assists in his last 11 caps, Ndoye has firmly cemented himself as one of Switzerland’s key players and a serious attacking force to be reckoned with.
Despite his struggles domestically, he’s still the man for his national team. Dan Ndoye will be looking to shake off his Forest form and reproduce the level we all know he’s capable of in Swiss colours. Who knows, if he plays well enough he could get a move to a proper club.
Prediction
1. Switzerland
2. Canada
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina
4. Qatar
The ruthless Swiss efficiency will rule all, and I think Qatar will be comfortably beaten by all three of their opponents here. I can see Canada just sneaking ahead of Bosnia due to their superior attacking talent, maybe even just on goal difference as they stuff 6 past Qatar to Bosnias measly 4. Whatever happens, it’s sure to be blockbuster in another impossible to call group!