Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina both seeking first win at the World Cup

Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina face off in a potentially decisive Group B clash, with both sides having drawn their openers 1-1. The two matches, however, told very different stories.

World Cup

2026

• #
  Team
  P
  Pts
• #
  Team
  P
  Pts
• 1

  

  Canada

  2

  4
  1

  

  Canada

  2

  4
• 2

  

  Switzerland

  2

  4
  2

  

  Switzerland

  2

  4
• 3

  

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  2

  1
  3

  

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  2

  1
• 4

  

  Qatar

  2

  1
  4

  

  Qatar

  2

  1

Play-offs

Possible play-offs

Switzerland dominated against host nation Qatar — 68% possession, 26 shots — but were punished in stoppage time despite Breel Embolo's penalty giving them the lead. Bosnia & Herzegovina, meanwhile, showed defensive resilience against Canada, sitting deep with just 39% possession but going ahead through Jovo Lukić before conceding a late equaliser.

Switzerland head into the match with a fully fit squad. Granit Xhaka is expected to orchestrate midfield, Manuel Akanji to lead the defence in front of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and Embolo to spearhead the attack flanked by Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas.

Bosnia's situation is more complicated. Defender Nidal Čelić is out of the tournament with a training injury, captain Edin Džeko is a doubt with a shoulder problem, and Haris Tabakovic is also uncertain — placing additional responsibility on goalscorer Jovo Lukić and experienced left back Sead Kolašinac.

Bosnia have drawn five consecutive matches across all competitions, though they did beat Wales and Italy on penalties to reach the tournament. Switzerland have also been inconsistent lately, winning just once in their last five matches. The only previous meeting between the sides ended 2-0 to Bosnia in a 2016 friendly, with Džeko and Miralem Pjanić on the scoresheet. The stakes this time are considerably higher.