Published Jun 8, 6:06am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jun 8, 6:06am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Jun 8, 6:06am ET
The other two teams in Canada’s Group B open their World Cup campaign on June 12, as Switzerland take on 2022 hosts Qatar.
Switzerland will be widely expected to dominate their opponents, and that could put pressure on Canada in the battle for top spot in Group B.
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|---|---|
| Qatar | +1185 |
| DRAW | +580 |
| Switzerland | -425 |
Soccer in Qatar reached new levels of popularity in 2022, when the nation hosted the prestigious event for the first time.
However, signs of the legacy of that event are evident this summer, as Qatar achieved qualification for the World Cup for the first time. Julen Lopetegui’s team won ten of their 18 matches during qualifying, but their form has dipped since then, failing to win in their last six.
Qatar’s preparations for the tournament have been impacted by the unrest in the Middle East, with three fixtures canceled between March and May.
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Murat Yakin’s Switzerland will be considered a leading challenger to top the Group B standings this summer.
The Swiss enjoyed an excellent run to the quarterfinals of the EUROs in 2024, and they will be making their sixth straight appearance at the World Cup.
They have reached the round of 16 in each of the last three editions, and they qualified for this summer’s tournament with an excellent unbeaten record. Their momentum continues to be strong after avoiding defeat in three of their four internationals in 2026.
Switzerland should have the quality across the field to open their World Cup campaign with a straightforward win in Santa Clara. We expect them to win by at least two clear goals without conceding.
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Pick
Switzerland (-1.5) (-125)
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