Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina kick-started their 2026 World Cup campaigns with 1-1 draws against Qatar and Canada, respectively, setting the stage for an intense showdown on Thursday at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
This crucial encounter has taken on added significance, with both teams aware of the importance of securing all three points to boost their chances of advancing to the knockout stages from Group B.
The match has become a pivotal contest in determining the group’s outcome, with both sides having dropped points in their opening game.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match, including predicted lineups and how to watch.
Switzerland’s 1-1 draw against Qatar in its opener saw the team ultimately settle for a draw following a late own goal, despite being the better team on the field.
If Switzerland can rediscover its clinical edge against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Murat Yakin’s side should have enough quality to secure a comfortable win.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, did well to hold off Canada in their opener but owed much to their opponents’ wastefulness in front of goal.
Sergej Barbarez’s side will aim to remain compact and hard to break down, but Switzerland has enough attacking power, led by Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo, to expect victory.
Switzerland may alter its attacking formation in response to the lack of clinical finishing against Qatar.
Head-to-head: Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina have only met once in their history, a friendly in 2016 which Bosnia won 2-0 thanks to goals from Edin Džeko — still part of the squad — and Miralem Pjanić. Target practice: Switzerland had 27 shots in their opener against Qatar, including 10 from the penalty spot. Yakin’s team will then work on finishing him in training.
Yakin is unlikely to make major changes for Switzerland against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with first-choice goalkeeper Gregor Kobel expected to be protected by a back three of Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, and Nico Elvedi.
The flank roles are likely to remain unchanged, but there could be an adjustment in attack, with Noah Okafor potentially replacing Dan Ndoye on the left wing.
In midfield, Djibril Sow could come alongside Granit Xhaka to provide more attacking presence.
Switzerland’s predicted lineup against Bosnia and Herzegovina features a 3-4-3 formation: Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi; Aebischer, Sow, Xhaka, Rodriguez; Vargas, Embolo, Okafor.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s captain, Sead Kolašinac, limped off against Canada last time out and will undergo a late fitness test ahead of this match.
Arjan Malić was called up to replace an injured Nidal Čelik and could make an appearance off the bench.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s predicted lineup against Switzerland features a 4-4-2 formation: Vasilj; Dedić, Katić, Muharemović, Kolašinac; Bajraktarević, Tahirović, Bašić, Memić; Demirović, Lukić.
Viewers in the United States can watch the match on FOX Network, fuboTV, Telemundo, and Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, while those in Canada can watch on TSN+, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS, and RDS app.
Other countries’ broadcasting information includes: Mexico – ViX Mexico, United Kingdom – ITV 1 UK, ITVX, STV Scotland, STV Player.
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Stadium: SoFi Stadium Date: Thursday, June 18 Kickoff Time: 3pm ET / 12pm PT / 8pm BST (June 17)
Switzerland is expected to secure three points against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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