Julen Lopetegui is back at a World Cup and is hoping to hang around a little longer this time.Lopeteguis previous experience of the global showpiece ended before it had begun when he was sacked by Spain two days before their opening game at Russia 2018. Having agreed to become Real Madrid boss after the tournament, without the knowledge of the Spanish Football Federation, Lopetegui was promptly dismissed and sent home.He returns with different expectations in charge of a Qatar side that qualified for the first time having been hosts in 2022.He accepts the small Middle Eastern nation are the underdogs in Group B that also contains Saturdays opponents Switzerland, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina but is using that as motivation.He told AS: We are aware of what we are. I think the starting point is to accept that. Every country that sees the name Qatar drawn in their group will be satisfied. For us, that means we dont lower our head, its the other way round.Lopetegui rubbished suggestions it is a weak pool and was quick to highlight the strength of the opposition.He added: Switzerland have been one of the strongest teams in Europe over the last eight years. Canada are surely the best team in North America, they have clearly imposed themselves on the United States and Mexico in recent years. And Bosnia eliminated Wales in Wales and Italy. They are rivals who have all the ingredients to be heavy favourites before us.It is a tough start for Qatar against a Swiss side for whom this is a sixth successive World Cup finals appearance.They have reached the round of 16 in four of their last five attempts and have a squad packed with experience, led by captain Granit Xhaka and also containing Gregor Kobel, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez and Remo Freuler.Coach Hakan Yakin told FIFA.com: As a coach, its great to have players of such calibre in terms of their character, mentality and experience who also take on a lot of responsibility and play a key role at their clubs.You really can see the difference in their quality, intensity and training standards; the way they make their team-mates better, the way they make them stronger, the way they set an example for the young lads day in, day out.Midfielder Johan Manzambi, 20, is one to watch while Leeds winger Noah Okafor will look to build on an excellent first season in the Premier League.Table of ContentsTeam News for Qatar v SwitzerlandPredicted line-ups for Qatar v SwitzerlandWhere to watch Qatar v Switzerland: TV and online streamsStats for Qatar v SwitzerlandPrediction for Qatar v SwitzerlandResponsible GamblingTeam News for Qatar v SwitzerlandQatar have a full-strength squad to choose from with their main attacking threat coming from Akram Afif.Yakin has some major decisions to make in attack with Breel Embolo and Zeki Amdouni competing for the striker berth while Okafor may have to settle for a place on the bench if he opts to go with Sevillas Rubn Vargas.Predicted line-ups for Qatar v SwitzerlandQatar: Abunada; Al-Oui, Khoukhi, Pedro Miguel, Ahmed; Laye, Fathi, Gaber; Abdurisag, Afif, EdmilsonSwitzerland: Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Xhaka, Freuler; Vargas, Manzambi, Ndoye; EmboloWhere to watch Qatar v Switzerland: TV and online streamsQatar versus Switzerland kicks off tomorrow night at 8pm UK time. You can watch it on ITV 1 and stream via ITVX.Click HERE for a full World Cup TV guideStats for Qatar v SwitzerlandQatar finished bottom of their group at the 2022 World Cup they lost all three of their matches, conceding seven goals and scoring only one.Among sides that played at least 10 games in the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers, Qatars games produced more goals per game than any other side (3.61). Of AFC sides to reach the World Cup, Qatar lost more games than any other nation (5).Switzerland last reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1954, when the tournament was played on home soil. Since then, theyve never progressed past the second round.Switzerland are one of only two European teams to have reached the knockout stages in each of the last six major international tournaments (WC + EURO) alongside France.Breel Embolo, Switzerlands top goal scorer in the qualifying campaign with four goals, is one of only five players to have scored multiple goals in both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Euros along with Harry Kane, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fllkrug and Cody Gakpo.Prediction for Qatar v SwitzerlandSwitzerland will have too much nous for Qatar and Lopeteguis side will do well to keep the score down.Prediction: Qatar 0-4 SwitzerlandResponsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare:www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware:gambleaware.orgGamStop:www.gamstop.co.uk(free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Topics Qatar National Football Team Switzerland National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup 2026: Full list of confirmed teams, fixtures, groups and results Ben Miller 12th June, 2026 Embolo to link up with Switzerland World Cup squad after visa issue resolved Nicholas McGee 5th June, 2026 2026 World Cup: Switzerland forward unable to travel to US over visa issue Nicholas McGee 2nd June, 2026 World Cup 2026 Group B: Preview, prediction, players to watch, fixtures and TV details Mitch Fretton 1st June, 2026 International round-up: Son inspires South Korea as Cape Verde stun Serbia Mitch Fretton 31st May, 2026 Switzerland 3-4 Germany: Report, result, goals as Wirtz stars in international friendly Ben Miller 27th March, 2026
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