Overview
- The Group B opener at Levi's Stadium is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, June 13 and will be officiated by Saíd Martínez of Honduras.
- Captain Granit Xhaka said the Swiss are confident and ready to perform and is expected to pass the 150-cap mark at the tournament.
- Switzerland arrive in strong form having lost one of their last 14 matches and are predicted to field a veteran lineup led by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and a midfield anchored by Xhaka and Remo Freuler.
- Qatar travel under new coach Julen Lopetegui with a fully fit squad, a frontline centred on Akram Afif, and a place at the finals earned after a 2-1 playoff win over the UAE.
- A win would put the victor top of Group B and shape the early knockout race for Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina while Switzerland seek to move beyond repeated round-of-16 exits since their last quarter-final in 1954.