Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
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 was 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 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
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Qatar team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Sead Kolasinac ($4.3m) – Defender
Ermedin Demirovic ($6.2m) – Forward
Jovo Lukic ($5.6m) – 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
Issa Laye ($3.5m) – Defender
Akram Afif ($5.9m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Akram Afif
Penalties: Akram Afif
Free kicks: Akram Afif
Corners: Akram Afif
Key stats
- Coming soon
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 defensive 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
