Group B overview
Group B features England, Iran, Canada, and Wales. England arrives as one of the tournament favorites, while co-host Canada plays on home soil with a growing football culture. Iran brings tournament experience from consecutive World Cup qualifications, and Wales returns to the big stage seeking to prove their 2022 appearance was no one-off.
The group offers a compelling narrative: England's pursuit of a first World Cup since 1966, Canada's emergence as a footballing nation, and two underdogs with genuine ambition.
Team capsules
England FIFA Ranking: Top 5 | World Cup appearances: 16 | Best result: Champions (1966)
England's "Golden Generation 2.0" features Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Declan Rice — all established world-class talents. Runners-up at Euro 2024 and semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, England has consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments under recent management. The Three Lions are genuine contenders for the title, not just group favorites.
Canada FIFA Ranking: Top 45 | World Cup appearances: 3 | Best result: Group stage (1986, 2022)
Canada qualified for back-to-back World Cups for the first time in history. As co-hosts, they play in BC Place (Vancouver) and BMO Field (Toronto). Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) is the star, supported by Jonathan David and a generation of players who grew up with the MLS and Canadian Premier League. The expectation is to advance past the group stage for the first time ever.
Iran FIFA Ranking: Top 25 | World Cup appearances: 7 | Best result: Group stage
Iran is consistently the strongest team in Asian football. Organized defensively with dangerous counter-attacks, Team Melli is a difficult opponent for anyone. Their player pool has expanded into European leagues, and the passionate Iranian diaspora in North America (particularly Los Angeles and Toronto) will provide vocal support.
Wales FIFA Ranking: Top 35 | World Cup appearances: 3 | Best result: Quarter-finals (1958)
Wales qualified through a dramatic playoff campaign. Post-Gareth Bale, the squad relies on a collective identity built by their coaching staff. Players like Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams, and Harry Wilson carry the creative burden. The Welsh fan base — the Red Wall — is one of the most passionate in European football.
Match schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2026 | Canada vs Wales | BC Place | Vancouver |
| June 12, 2026 | England vs Iran | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia |
| June 15, 2026 | England vs Wales | Gillette Stadium | Boston |
| June 16, 2026 | Canada vs Iran | BMO Field | Toronto |
| June 19, 2026 | Canada vs England | BMO Field | Toronto |
| June 19, 2026 | Iran vs Wales | TBD | TBD |
Key matchups
England vs Canada (June 19) The decider. If England have already secured qualification, they may rotate — giving Canada a window. If both teams need a result, expect an electric atmosphere at BMO Field with a sellout crowd of more than 45,000 Canadian fans driving the home team forward against the former colonial power.
England vs Wales (June 15) A British derby at the World Cup. Wales will approach this as their cup final; England will have the pressure of expectation. The cultural rivalry adds spice beyond the footballing dimension.
Prediction
- England — Too much talent to stumble in the group stage. Expect a dominant performance.
- Canada — Home advantage and an improving squad should carry them through.
- Iran — Tough to beat but likely to fall short on goal difference.
- Wales — Brave but outgunned by the other three teams.
Match schedule
| Time (ET) | Match | Round | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | Canada vs Bosnia & HerzegovinaBMO Field | Grp B | Toronto |
| 16:00 | Qatar vs SwitzerlandLevi's Stadium | Grp B | San Francisco |
| 16:00 | Switzerland vs Bosnia & HerzegovinaSoFi Stadium | Grp B | Los Angeles |
| 19:00 | Canada vs QatarBC Place | Grp B | Vancouver |
| 16:00 | Switzerland vs CanadaBC Place | Grp B | Vancouver |
| 16:00 | Bosnia & Herzegovina vs QatarLumen Field | Grp B | Seattle |
- Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina16:00 ET
Toronto · BMO Field
Grp B - Qatar vs Switzerland16:00 ET
San Francisco · Levi's Stadium
Grp B - Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina16:00 ET
Los Angeles · SoFi Stadium
Grp B - Canada vs Qatar19:00 ET
Vancouver · BC Place
Grp B - Switzerland vs Canada16:00 ET
Vancouver · BC Place
Grp B - Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar16:00 ET
Seattle · Lumen Field
Grp B
Standings
Placeholder table—updates once the tournament begins.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Qatar | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Venues
- los-angeles
- san-francisco
- seattle
- toronto
- vancouver
Frequently Asked Questions
Is England the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?
England is among the top 4-5 favorites alongside Argentina, France, Brazil, and Spain. The squad depth — particularly in midfield and attack — is arguably the best in the tournament.
Can Canada advance past the group stage?
Yes, and they should. As co-hosts with home matches in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada has the quality and support to finish second behind England. Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies provide genuine attacking threat.
Where will England play their group matches?
Philadelphia (June 12), Boston (June 15), and Toronto (June 19). All venues are on the East Coast, minimizing travel for England's camp.
How strong is Iran at the World Cup?
Iran has qualified for three consecutive World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and is competitive in every group stage. They beat Wales 2-0 in Qatar 2022. Do not underestimate Team Melli.
Will there be a large English fan following?
Yes. England's away support — the Barmy Army of football — is among the most devoted in the world. Expect tens of thousands of English fans across Philadelphia, Boston, and Toronto.
How does the third-place rule work in 2026?
The top two teams from each group qualify automatically. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams from the twelve groups also advance to the Round of 32. A strong third-place finish with 4+ points and a decent goal difference is often enough.
What is the climate like for Group B matches?
Philadelphia and Boston in mid-June are warm (24-30°C / 75-86°F) with moderate humidity. Toronto is similar. Evening kickoffs will be more comfortable. No extreme heat concerns for this group.
Has Wales ever beaten England at a World Cup?
No. This would be only their third meeting at a World Cup. Wales' best World Cup result remains their quarter-final appearance in 1958 in Sweden.
Which teams are in Group B?
Group B is Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
When are Group B matches played?
All group-stage games for Group B fall between June 11 and June 26, 2026, across three matchdays—see the table below for ET kickoffs.
Where are Group B matches held?
Fixtures rotate through the FIFA host cities shown beside each match row below—not every game uses the same stadium.
Who is the favorite to win Group B?
Favorites shift with form, but the highest FIFA ranking or strongest recent tournament team in this quartet usually opens as the betting front-row—compare all four team cards on this page.
How many teams from Group B advance?
Two teams go through automatically as top two finishers, and the third-place side can still qualify if it lands inside the eight best thirds overall.
What is the format of Group B matches?
Each nation plays three group games (home/away-balanced draw), earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.
What happens if teams in Group B are tied on points?
FIFA applies tiebreakers in order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head among tied teams, fair play, then a random draw.
When is the last matchday for Group B?
Group B finishes on FIFA’s final group round when both remaining games kick off at the same time—dates and ET times are in the schedule grid.