Qatar vs Switzerland – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 13-06

Qatar vs. Switzerland marks the opening match of the World Cup 2026 group stage for both nations. The game takes place this Saturday, 13 June, at 11:00 (local time in Santa Clara, CA), which is 8 PM (BST), at Levi"s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

Switzerland come into the tournament in better form, though Qatar will draw confidence from their victory in the only previous meeting between the two sides. Our Qatar vs. Switzerland prediction anticipates a tight contest as both teams will be desperate to get off to a winning start.

Find out where to watch the match and what our experts are predicting, as well as the probable line-ups expected for today"s encounter.

Qatar vs. Switzerland - Head-to-head record

The history between these two nations is surprisingly brief, making their World Cup group stage clash a novel event. They have only faced each other on one previous occasion, so there is very little historical data to analyse. This lack of a deep-seated rivalry adds an element of unpredictability.

That single encounter was a friendly match back in November 2018, where Qatar secured a narrow 1-0 victory. This means that Qatar holds a perfect head-to-head record in the Qatar vs. Switzerland matchup. It’s a statistic they will surely carry into this important game.

However, it is crucial to consider the context of that previous meeting. A friendly played years ago offers limited insight for a competitive World Cup fixture. With no other encounters to go by, both teams will be looking to write a new chapter on the world’s biggest stage.

Qatar - Struggling for recent form

Here we will take a closer look at Qatar’s current situation heading into the World Cup. The team is going through a difficult period, having not recorded a victory in their last six matches. We will analyse their recent performances and tactical setup, before looking at the expected Qatar vs. Switzerland line-ups for this game.

Recent form

Qatar enters the World Cup with a concerning run of form, failing to secure a victory in their last six matches across all competitions. Their most recent win was in October 2025 during the Asian World Cup qualifiers. This lack of success undoubtedly puts pressure on the team for their opening tournament fixture.

Their struggles continued in recent friendlies, including a goalless draw against El Salvador and a 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland. Furthermore, Qatar had a disappointing 2025 Arab Cup, failing to win a single game. This highlights an attacking unit struggling to break down opposition defences and create clear chances.

No injuries reported by Qatar, hinting at full squad availability. But given their recent form, overcoming a well-organised Switzerland side in this World Cup opener will be a formidable task.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Qatar

Mahmud Ibrahim Abunada; Homam Alamin Ahmed, Boualem Khoukhi, Ayoub Al Oui, Pedro Miguel Correia; Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam, Ahmed Fathy, Gueye Laye; Akram Hassan Afif, Edmilson Junior Paulo da Silva, Yusuf Abdurisag Yusuf. Manager: Julen Lopetegui.

Switzerland - Enjoying a solid run

Let’s analyse Switzerland’s current situation. We will look at the team’s momentum, their recent results, and standout players for the upcoming World Cup match.

Recent form

Switzerland comes into the World Cup on the back of a very strong qualification campaign. They navigated their group stage with impressive results, including dominant victories over Sweden (4-1, 2-0) and Slovenia (3-0), conceding only one goal across these specific qualification matches. This successful run highlights their ability to perform under pressure in competitive matches.

Their form in recent international friendlies has been varied. While they secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Jordan, they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Australia in their latest outing and suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat against Germany. These results suggest that while their attack can be potent, their defence can also be breached.

A significant advantage for the Swiss is that they arrive at the tournament with a fully fit squad, with no reported injuries. This gives their manager a full selection of players to choose from for the Qatar vs. Switzerland fixture. Considering their strong qualification record, they will be confident of starting their World Cup journey with a win.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Switzerland

Gregor Kobel; Ricardo Rodríguez, Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi; Dan Ndoye, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Michel Aebischer; Breel Embolo, Ruben Vargas. Manager: Murat Yakin.

Qatar vs. Switzerland - Stats

• Qatar have only won five of their last 21 international matches, losing ten and drawing six.
• In contrast, Switzerland have a stronger record, losing six of their last 21 games.
• The hosts have struggled to score, failing to find the back of the net in five of their last eight fixtures.
• The Swiss have been far more prolific, averaging 2.2 goals per game across their last ten matches.
• Switzerland’s defence has also proved solid, keeping a clean sheet in five of their last ten encounters.

Predictions for Qatar vs. Switzerland - Swiss Dominance Expected

Switzerland enters the World Cup with a solid qualification record and a potent attack, as demonstrated by their 4-1 victory over Jordan. Despite some mixed friendly results, their attacking prowess suggests they will aim for a quick start, making “Half-Time Result – Switzerland Win" a plausible outcome.

Conversely, Qatar has been struggling to find the back of the net, as seen in their recent 0-0 draw against El Salvador, and their overall form is a major concern. The significant difference in quality and confidence could lead to a comfortable Swiss victory, potentially covering the “Asian Handicap – Switzerland -1.5" market.

Considering the recent performances of both teams, our main prediction for this match is a win for Switzerland. Their solid run of results contrasts sharply with Qatar"s difficulties, marking them as clear favourites for this opening World Cup fixture.

Qatar x Switzerland
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Money Line	Switzerland to win the first half	1.57 at BetMGM
Asian Handicap	Switzerland to win with a handicap of -1.5	at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on Qatar vs. Switzerland

Discover more recommended bets on Qatar vs. Switzerland for this World Cup opener. We have analysed the markets to provide additional betting tips.

🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: 12 & Over 2.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

Switzerland"s strong attacking record suggests they will score multiple goals against Qatar. The “Game & Goals – Double Chance & Over/Under – Full Time – 12 – +2.5" market, therefore, presents a solid option.

🔥 Corners: Switzerland - 1.19 at BetMGM

The Swiss team will likely dominate possession and apply consistent pressure. This attacking approach points to them winning more corners, making the “Corners – Money Line – Full Time – 2" market appealing.

Where to watch Qatar vs. Switzerland?

For those wondering where to watch Qatar vs. Switzerland, here is the broadcast information:

• TV: STV Scotland, STV (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)
• Streaming: STV Player

Qatar vs. Switzerland - Match details

Check out the match details:

• Match: Qatar vs. Switzerland
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 13/06/2026
• Kick-off: 8 PM (BST)
• Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA, United States
• Broadcast: STV Player, STV Scotland, STV (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)

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