Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
by The Stats Zone ·
Updated
As one of the latest qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina now have a real chance of knockout qualification this summer - but the same can also be said for Qatar.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Bosnia and Herzegovina preview: Reeling from a late loss in Los Angeles
Bosnia and Herzegovina kept things tight against Switzerland and, heading into the final 15 minutes of the game in Los Angeles, appeared set to potentially even nick a decisive winner. Instead, due to some smart Swiss changes and tweaks, they were on the receiving end of a 4-1 loss and now must win their final game to stand a chance of qualifying.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the majority of their game against Switzerland, were tough to play against and that continued on from their opening game where they shared a 1-1 draw with co-hosts Canada, having taken a first-half lead via Jovo Lukic before Cyle Larin equalised late on for the Canadians.
Qatar preview: Hammered in Vancouver
Julen Lopetegui is in charge of a Qatar side that many believe to be among the weakest in the tournament after an underwhelming qualifying campaign but the Qataris began with a more than respectable 1-1 draw against Switzerland, pinching a second-half stoppage time equaliser as a result of a Miro Muheim own goal.
The Maroon One, as they are nicknamed, then turned in a woeful performance to lose 6-0 to Canada in Vancouver. They went down to nine men, with the second red card for Assam Madibo as a result of him inflicting a serious injury on Ismael Kone, but a heavy defeat was an inevitability pretty much from the off and they need to put everything behind them to fight back here.
Bosnia and Herzegovina team news: Muharemovic suspended
Sassuolo defender Tarek Muharemovic was sent off against Switzerland and so he is now missing through suspension. He is expected to be replaced by Dennis Hadzikadunic in their flexible defence that has switched from a back three to a back four in-game.
Kerim Alajbegovic started on the wing against the Swiss and that is expected to again be the case with Sergej Barbarez opting for a 4-4-2 system in attack with Esmir Bajraktarevic pushing to start ahead of Amar Memic.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Hadzikadunic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Tahirovic, Sunjic, Alajbegovic; Dzeko, Demirovic
Unavailable: Muharemovic (Suspended)
Questionable:
Qatar team news: Suspensions for Qatar
Qatar head into their clash against the Bosnians with a couple of suspensions after both Homam Ahmed and Assam Madibo were sent off against Canada and so are now unavailable for this one.
Karim Boudiaf is expected to come in for the Qataris in midfield with Julen Lopetegui expecting to continue with a 4-3-3, with their attack built around the excellent Akram Afif.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Abunada; Al Oui, Miguel, Khoukhi, Al Brake; Gaber, Laye, Boudiaf; Edmilson, Abdurisag, Afif
Unavailable: Ahmed (Suspended), Madibo (Suspended)
Questionable:
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sead Kolasinac ($4.3m) – Defender
Ermedin Demirovic ($6.2m) – Forward
Edin Dzeko ($6.1m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Ermedin Demirovic
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Edin Dzeko, Haris Tabakovic
Free kicks: Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic
Corners: Amar Dedic, Benjamin Tahirovic
Qatar’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Boualem Khoukhi ($3.8m) – Defender
Akram Afif ($5.9m) – Forward
Edmilson Junior ($4.9m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Akram Afif
Penalties: Akram Afif
Free kicks: Akram Afif
Corners: Akram Afif
Key stats
- The two sides have met twice previously, both friendlies, a 2-0 win for Qatar in Doha in January 2000 and a 1-1 draw in Sarajevo in August 2010.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina’s five previous World Cup matches have seen a total of 15 goals scored – an average of three per game.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar are both aiming to reach the knockout phase for the first time after exiting in the group stage in their only previous World Cup participations in 2014 and 2022 respectively.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina’s record appearance-maker and goalscorer, Edin Džeko, could make his 150th appearance for the nation.
- This is Qatar’s third FIFA World Cup match against a European team after their 0-2 defeat against the Netherlands in their last group fixture in 2022 and the 1-1 draw in their opening match of the 2026 finals against Switzerland.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar prediction
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 with some hard-fought victories in the play-offs against Wales and then four-time world champions Italy, defeating both teams on penalties after obdurate defensive performances - something that they have reproduced against both Canada and then the Swiss before the latter ran riot late on in LA.
Qatar, with the pragmatic style of former West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui, themselves prefer a more defensive style of football due to significant limitations in terms of quality in attack.
Qatar and the Bosnians will both believe they can nick this game and progress but neither side will want to risk too much, as is their usual way, and it could lead to a dramatic conclusion after a likely largely dull affair for the neutral.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar betting tip: Under 2.5 goals
