The Swiss took control shortly after halftime when Ruben Vargas opened the scoring in the 46th minute following an assist from Johan Manzambi. Switzerland doubled its advantage in the 57th minute as Manzambi found the net himself after being set up by Breel Embolo. Canada responded through Promise David in the 76th minute, with Nathan-Dylan Saliba providing the assist, but the comeback fell short.

At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Qatar 3-1 to climb level on points with Canada. Kerim Alajbegović gave Bosnia the lead in the 29th minute before an own goal from Sultan Al-Brake briefly leveled the score. Hasan Al-Haydos restored Qatar’s hopes before halftime, but Ermin Mahmić’s second-half goal secured all three points for Bosnia.

How did Switzerland secure first place in Group B?

Switzerland entered Matchday 3 knowing that a victory would guarantee the top spot, and the European side delivered a composed performance when it mattered most.

The result capped an impressive group-stage campaign for Switzerland, which finished unbeaten with seven points from three matches. Their balanced performances on both ends of the field made them one of the most consistent teams in the group.

What does the result mean for Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Despite the defeat, Canada advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing second in the group. Jesse Marsch’s side benefited from a superior goal difference, allowing them to edge Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final standings.

Bosnia’s victory over Qatar was not enough to move into the top two positions, but the team remained competitive until the final whistle of the group stage. Qatar, meanwhile, exited the tournament with just one point from three matches.

2026 World Cup Group B standings

The Venezuelan official will be accompanied on the sidelines by his fellow countrymen Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno as assistant referees, while Japan’s Yusuke Araki will serve as the fourth official.

With neither side managing to secure a victory in their opening matches, the tension is bound to be sky-high. In an environment where a single misstep can seal a team’s fate, the official’s signature approach will be tested to its limits.

Jesus Valenzuela’s refereeing record and style

Jesus Valenzuela is a Venezuelan FIFA international referee since 2013, widely recognized for his experience in CONMEBOL competitions and major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, Copa América and Libertadores.

He has officiated more than 80 international matches and has been consistently rated among the top referees in South America, including being named CONMEBOL’s best referee in 2021.

From a statistical and performance standpoint, he is known for a high-card but controlled refereeing profile, averaging close to 5 yellow cards per match across his career sample. His refereeing style is typically described as:

• Strict on tactical fouls and shirt pulling, especially in midfield transitions
• Quick to issue early yellow cards to set the tone of the match
• Strong reliance on game management rather than long advantage sequences
• Comfortable officiating high-intensity CONMEBOL-style matches, where emotional control is key
• Experience in high-pressure games (World Cup, Copa América, Libertadores knockout stages)

His profile fits referees who prioritize match control over flow, meaning he tends to intervene early if a game becomes physically or emotionally heated. That is one reason FIFA has trusted him in international knockout.

What happens if Bosnia or Qatar lose today?

A defeat for either Bosnia and Herzegovina or Qatar in their Group B World Cup match would have direct consequences on their path to the knockout stage: the losing team will be officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

Given that Canada and Switzerland already sit atop the group with four points each, a loss locks the defeated side into the bottom of the standings, packing their bags before the knockout stage even begins.

A draw is equally catastrophic for both nations, as a single point apiece would leave them both stuck on two points. Therefore, this match at Seattle Stadium is a literal “win-or-go-home” scenario.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Bosnia and Herzegovina are ranked No. 65 in the world with 1,381.18 points. Despite sitting below Qatar in the rankings, the Bosnians will look to use their experience against European opposition as they attempt to secure a crucial victory in Seattle.

Bosnia and Herzegovina opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Canada before suffering a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland on Matchday 2. The European side now finds itself under pressure heading into its final group-stage match, knowing that anything less than a positive result could end their World Cup campaign.

How does Bosnia and Herzegovina’s FIFA ranking compare to Qatar?

While Bosnia and Herzegovina enter the match ranked 65th in the FIFA standings, Qatar sit slightly higher at No. 56 with 1,438.82 points. The ranking gap highlights how closely matched the two nations are on paper despite their different soccer backgrounds.

Both teams have collected just one point through their first two matches. Bosnia earned their point in a draw against Canada, while Qatar salvaged a 1-1 result against Switzerland before suffering a heavy defeat to Canada on Matchday 2.

What is at stake for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Qatar?

A victory would give Bosnia and Herzegovina four points and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, either through a top-two finish or as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. The same opportunity exists for Qatar, making this one of the most important matches in Group B.

The match will be held in Seattle, Washington, at Lumen Field, officially known during the tournament as Seattle Stadium. It is located near the city’s waterfront and home to some of the loudest crowds in American sports.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM ET. Bosnia and Herzegovina are looking to keep alive their dream of advancing beyond the group stage, while Qatar are still chasing their first-ever FIFA World Cup victory.

What is Lumen Field’s capacity for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Lumen Field, known as Seattle Stadium during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has an official tournament capacity of 66,925 spectators. FIFA confirmed the final capacity figures for all 16 World Cup venues shortly before the start.

Located in downtown Seattle, Washington, the venue is home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS side Seattle Sounders. Opened in 2002, the stadium has built a reputation as one of the loudest sporting venues in North America.

Seattle Stadium is hosting six World Cup matches overall, including four group-stage games, a Round of 32 matchup, and a Round of 16 fixture. Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar is one of the venue’s featured group-stage contests.

The capacity used for the World Cup differs slightly from the stadium’s regular configuration. While Lumen Field can typically accommodate around 68,000 to 69,000 fans and soccer events, FIFA’s tournament setup, media areas and operational requirements reduce the final attendance figure to 66,925 seats.

What will the weather be like for Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar?

The weather is expected to be warm and favorable, with temperatures around 84-85°F (29-30°C) at kickoff and virtually no chance of rain in Seattle. Forecasts call for mostly sunny skies, light winds and dry conditions.

The Group B clash will kick off at 12:00 p.m. local time (3:00 p.m. ET) at Lumen Field, officially known as Seattle Stadium during the tournament. Temperatures are expected to climb through the afternoon, reaching close to 85°F (30°C).

Rain is not expected to be a factor. Forecast models project almost no precipitation risk during the match window, while winds should remain light, generally below 10 mph. Those conditions should allow for a fast-paced game.

While temperatures will be higher than normal for Seattle, they remain below the levels that have forced frequent cooling breaks at some other venues. Climate analysts have identified Seattle as one of the least heat-affected host cities.

As a result, Qatar arrive at their decisive clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina needing a result to keep the World Cup dream alive. What looked like a promising start, suddenly became an uphill battle.

The Maroons are still mathematically alive, but they have to deliver in Seattle to make history in the tournament. Here is what each possible outcome would mean for Qatar.

What happens if Qatar win vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2026 World Cup?

If Qatar get a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they would finish the group stage with four points. That total would likely be enough to secure a place in the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s eight best third-place teams.

While qualification would not be mathematically guaranteed in every scenario, four points has consistently been viewed as a strong benchmark under the expanded World Cup format.

The victory would also make history. It would be Qatar’s first-ever win in a FIFA World Cup match, a major milestone for a nation trying to build important reputation on the international stage.

What happens if Qatar tie with Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina would leave Qatar with only two points. Under that scenario, the Maroons would finish at the bottom of Group B and would not have any realistic path to the Round of 32.

Bosnia and Herzegovina would also finish on two points, but the Europeans would claim third place thanks to a superior goal difference across all group matches. As a result, Qatar would be eliminated from the tournament.

2026 World Cup: What happens if Qatar lose today against Bosnia and Herzegovina?

A loss with Bosnia and Herzegovina would officially eliminate Qatar from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Maroons would finish the tournament with just one point from three matches, ending any possibility of reaching the knockout rounds.

It would also mean that Qatar failed to advance beyond the group stage in both of their World Cup appearances. However, there is still one positive note. Qatar’s 2026 campaign would remain their best World Cup performance to date.

During the 2022 World Cup, as hosts, Qatar finished with zero points after losing to Ecuador, Senegal, and the Netherlands. Even though elimination would be disappointing, the point earned against Switzerland ensured that the 2026 team surpassed the country’s previous World Cup record.

2026 World Cup Group B standings

The Asian side has endured a difficult campaign so far, opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland before suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Canada. As a result, Julen Lopetegui’s team finds itself under pressure heading into a decisive showdown with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Beyond the qualification race, Qatar is also fighting to improve its position in the FIFA World Ranking. A victory over the European squad could translate into a huge jump in the list.

What is Qatar’s FIFA ranking?

Qatar is currently ranked 56th in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,438.82 points. Interestingly, the 2026 World Cup has not changed Qatar’s position in the rankings despite several other nations moving up or down during the tournament. However, that does not mean Qatar’s rating has remained unchanged.

How has Qatar’s FIFA rating changed during the World Cup?

Although Qatar remains 56th in the rankings, its total number of FIFA points has fluctuated throughout the tournament. The Maroons gained 9.14 ranking points after their impressive 1-1 draw against Switzerland in the opening match of Group B.

However, those gains were quickly erased by the devastating 6-0 defeat against Canada. That result cost Qatar 20.63 FIFA ranking points, leaving the team with a net loss through its first two World Cup matches.

Can Qatar improve its FIFA ranking against Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Yes. A victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina would not only keep Qatar’s qualification hopes alive but would also add valuable points to its FIFA ranking total.

Because World Cup matches carry significant weight in the ranking formula, a positive result could help Qatar recover some of the points lost following the defeat to Canada. With qualification and ranking points both on the line, the stakes could hardly be higher for Lopetegui’s squad.

Why is the Bosnia match so important for Qatar?

Qatar needs a win to maintain realistic hopes of advancing to the Round of 32. Anything less would likely end the team’s World Cup campaign, while a victory would keep the door open to qualification through one of the tournament’s third-place spots.

At the same time, three points would provide a welcome boost to Qatar’s FIFA ranking and help restore momentum after one of the heaviest defeats of the tournament. For Qatar, the final Group B match represents one last opportunity to change the story of its 2026 World Cup.

How to watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar in the USA

Fans across the United States can watch this highly anticipated contest live on FS1 and Telemundo through traditional TV coverage.

Streaming options include Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium. Be sure to tune in for this thrilling clash.

Can I watch Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar for free?

Viewers in the United States can watch this marquee matchup live on Fubo and DirecTV Stream. New users may qualify for a free five-day trial.

Each service offers live coverage across the country, giving viewers access to every major play and pivotal moment as it unfolds.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Everything will be on the line when Bosnia and Qatar meet in a must-win Group Stage clash. Both teams are looking to bounce back from heavy defeats, with Bosnia losing 4-1 to Switzerland and Qatar falling 6-0 to Canada.

A win is crucial for either side to reach four points and remain in contention for a place among the tournament’s best third-place finishers, making this a high-pressure showdown with plenty at stake.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar: Predicted Lineups

Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2): Nikola Vasilj; Amar Dedić, Nikola Katić, Tarik Muharemovic, Sead Kolašinac; A. Memić, Benjamin Tahirovic, Ivan Šunjić, Kerim Alajbegovic; Ermedin Demirović, Edin Džeko.

Qatar (4-4-2): Mahmud Abunada; Ayoub Al Oui, P. Miguel Correia, Boualem Khoukhi, Homam Ahmed; Jassem Abdulsallam, Assim Madibo, Gueye Laye, Edmilson Junior; Y. Abdel Razaq Youssef, Akram Afif.

What time is the Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar match?

The match kicks off today, June 24, at 3:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 3:00 PM
Central Time: 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:00 PM

The expanded World Cup format allows eight third-place teams to qualify for the Round of 32, keeping hope alive for many countries until the final matchday. However, some sides have already been mathematically eliminated after failing to collect enough points or losing crucial tiebreakers.

Here is the updated list of teams that have been officially eliminated from the World Cup. It also includes all the groups in which their campaigns came to an end.

Which teams have been eliminated from 2026 World Cup?

The list of teams officially eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has now grown to 13:

• Czechia (Group A)
• Qatar (Group B)
• Haiti (Group C)
• Scotland (Group C)
• Turkiye (Group D)
• Curacao (Group E)
• Tunisia (Group F)
• New Zealand (Group G)
• Saudi Arabia (Group H)
• Uruguay (Group H)
• Iraq (Group I)
• Jordan (Group J)
• Panama (Group L)

With those 13 nations officially out, the battle for the remaining Round of 32 places continues across the final group-stage matches, as several teams are still fighting for qualification either through the top two spots in their groups or as one of the tournament’s eight best third-place finishers. The list of eliminated teams will grow even further as the group stage concludes on Saturday.

Per Fabrizio Romano, Ismael Kone has suffered both a fractured fibula and tibia and will be out of action for at least 4-5 months. As part of Romano’s report, Kone is already in the hospital joined by his mother. Jesse Marsch wasn’t fond of Qatar’s behavior after Kone’s injury happen.

Effectively, Kone’s World Cup campaign is over, and he might actually be able to return to soccer action until half of the 2026-2027 season. Kone plays for Sassuolo, an Italian team that got relegated from Serie A to Serie B this season.

Who can replace Kone on the Canada roster?

While not having Kone is a serious blow to Canada’s midfield, Nathan Saliba is a premium replacement. In fact, just minutes after Kone’s injury, Saliba scored a free kick vs Qatar and celebrated honoring Kone.

Saliba is the perfect candidate to replace Kone on Canada’s starting XI. Both are athletic, box-to-box midfielders that excel at tracking back, winning duels, and breaking up the opposition’s play. They are also both very good at progressing with the ball once recovered.

Ismael Kone’s stats for Canada

Kone has racked up 42 games for Canada in which he’s scored four goals. The 24-year-old had become one of the most lined up players by Jesse Marsch. Now, Canada will lose a key player. Thankfully, the role pieces are good to go in Kone’s absence.

Per insider Tom Bogert, Marsch wasn’t having it with Qatar‘s attitude after the foul that cost Ismael Kone a broken leg. Per Bogert, “Marsch adds it was ‘strange behavior’ from Qatar’s bench after the leg-breaking foul, arguing it should be a yellow and starting arguments.”

Despite the catastrophic ending in the play, the fact is the foul wasn’t as harsh. However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the foul plus a serious dose of bad luck ended in Kone suffering the tragic injury.

Marsch also had a tense encounter with Qatar’s HC Julen Lopetegui

As the final whiste blew and the 6-0 Canada win was sealed, the two head coaches went for a handshake. That’s basically protocol, but it turned out that Lopetegui and Marsch had a non-friendly interaction towards each other due to how the game developed.

During the postgame press conference, Marsch said “I’m not wasting a single second talking about that.” It was a very high-tension matchup. Canada was angry because of Kone’s incident and the Qatari reaction. Qatar was fuming due to the chaotic 0-6 loss, and it just ended in a clash between the head coaches.

Canada is in prime position to get to the next round

The Round of 32 looks very achievable for Canada right now. Switzerland and Canada both have four points, but Canada leads the group due to its superior goal difference (CAN +6, SWI +3).

Hence, Canada has basically sealed its participation in the Round of 32. However, that doesn’t mean its next game is meaningless. Canada will play vs. Switzerland for seeding. The better the seeding, the better the chances to get a favorable matchup in the first KO stage game.

Even without Alphonso Davies in the starting XI against Qatar, Canada was able to secure a massive 6-0 win against the Asian squad. With this victory, the Canadiens managed tie Switzerland in points, who defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier on Thursday.

Group B is now wide open, as Canada prepares to face Switzerland next on June 24 at 3:00 PM (ET). This highly anticipated fixture will determine group supremacy in a high-stakes match at BC Place in Vancouver, where the Canadiens will surely give everything to win and for Ismael Kone, who suffered a scary injury against Qatar.

Canada aims for top spot in Group B

Following vital wins for both Switzerland and Canada, both nations now sit level on four points. While neither has mathematically locked in a spot in the Round of 32 just yet, both are on the absolute cusp of qualification.

If Canada defeats Switzerland, it will comfortably secure the top spot in the group with seven points. Alternatively, a draw would also keep the Canadiens ahead of the Swiss on goal difference, keeping it in first place.

In this latter scenario, the host nation would finish with five points and book a place in the Round of 32 as group winners. Should it top the group, Canada would remain at BC Place in Vancouver to face a third-placed team advancing from Group E, F, G, I, or J. Qatar aren’t out yet, but their odds are low.

Why group leadership is vital for Canada

Securing a victory or a draw against Switzerland does more than just ensure passage; it hands the North Americans massive leverage heading into the high-pressure knockout stage.

As group winner, Canada would play its Round of 32 match in front of a passionate home crowd at BC Place. Furthermore, should the Canadiens win that opening knockout clash, they would also get to stay in Vancouver for their Round of 16 fixture, maintaining a crucial home-field advantage at a defining moment in the tournament.