Qatar and Switzerland will get their 2026 World Cup campaigns underway when they face off on Saturday at 8pm (UK time).
This will be a significant match for Qatar, their first at a World Cup outside of their own country. It was the first time they’ve qualified for the tournament through their on-pitch performances. They lost all three matches in 2022.
Switzerland, meanwhile, are at the World Cup for the sixth tournament running and 13th time overall. They have reached the last-16 in their last three World Cups, so Switzerland will be hoping for a strong start to keep that run going.
These two sides have faced off just once before, in a friendly in 2018. The Maroon One won that game 1-0 thanks to Akram Afif’s late strike.
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Qatar vs Switzerland team news
Qatar haven’t had the best preparations for the World Cup in terms of results, with a draw and defeat from their two matches. But they did give us an idea of how Qatar will line up this summer. The Maroon One lined up in a 4-3-3 for both games and used the same starting XI each time.
Mahmud Abunada appears to have become Qatar’s No.1 goalkeeper despite only playing five times for his nation. And that includes those two pre-tournament friendlies. Qatar’s defence is set to be a mix of experience and the future. Right-back Ayoub Al-Oui — who is 21 — is the second-youngest player in the squad. Homam Ahmed is the favoured left-back, with 35-year-olds Pedro Miguel and Boualem Koukhi the favoured centre-back pairing.
Issa Laye plies his trade mainly as a centre-back, but he has been playing in a central midfield role ahead of the World Cup. He’s expected to continue there as one of Julen Lopetegui’s trio, alongside Ahmed Fathy and Jassem Gaber.
The only change across Qatar’s games to prepare for the World Cup was in their attacking formation. But it wasn’t in personnel, only positions. Akram Afif, Yusuf Abdurisag and Edmilson Junior started both games and look to be the first-choice front three. But Afif and Abdurisag have both had minutes leading the line. Afif is likely to start through the middle, having scored 39 goals for Qatar.
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Switzerland have been flexible in their team choices to prepare for the World Cup, able to play in a back three or four. But the back four seems to be the favourite, which will likely see Denis Zakaria the one to drop out from the defence. Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji will remain as the centre-back duo, with Gregor Kobel behind them in goal.
Should Switzerland go with the back four, Ricardo Rodriguez and Silvan Widmer are set to start at left- and right-back, respectively. They are very much the first-choice full-backs, though drop out if Switzerland utilise wing-backs. Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler are certain starters in midfield, and Fabian Rieder could join them if Murat Yakin opts for a trio.
Switzerland’s attack is an interesting prospect too, with many players getting chances in warmup matches. Breel Embolo should lead the line given his goal record, having scored in the recent friendly win over Jordan. Dan Ndoye feels like another guaranteed starter, and he’ll likely play on the left-wing as he did against Australia. That would see Ruben Vargas play on the right, a position he does feature more in for Switzerland.
Qatar vs Switzerland predicted lineups
Qatar (4-3-3): Abunada; Al-Oui, Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Ahmed; Laye, Fathi, Gaber; Abdurisag, Afif, Edmilson Junior.
Switzerland (4-3-3): Kobel; Widmer, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler, Ndoye; Manzambi, Amdouni.
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