World Cup Preview: Group B
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just on the horizon, we’re previewing each of the tournament's twelve groups with all our Ligue 1 McDonald’s talents in mind. We continue with Group B, featuring Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland.
Canada
FIFA Ranking: 26
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
Canada was once a popular national team with Ligue 1 talents, with many former students involved in Jesse Marsch’s squad for the co-hosts. But in terms of current players, OGC Nice defender Moise Bombito will feature in North America and pair up with Derek Cornelius who is representing Olympique de Marseille after spending 2025-2026 on loan at Scottish club Rangers.
Tournament Outlook:
After a disappointing campaign in Qatar, Jesse Marsch’s Canada will have to meet raised expectations on home soil four years later. History hasn’t favoured the North American side, as they still search for a first victory at the World Cup after suffering three losses at each of their two previous appearances in 1986 and 2022. Yet a talented squad core which is composed of players that have been tested in Europe’s major leagues will be aiming to change those fortunes in what could be a major turning point for Canadian football. Will it be lessons learnt from their previous campaign in Qatar?
Ligue 1 legend: Jonathan David - LOSC Lille
There have been a handful of Canadians to leave their mark on Ligue 1 McDonald's, including Tomasz Radzinski and more recently Ismaël Koné, but Jonathan David stands alone. Signed by LOSC Lille from Gent in 2020, the striker became one of the most prolific forwards in the club's modern history, scoring more than 100 goals across all competitions and helping Les Dogues secure the 2021 Trophée des Champions. Equally adept as a penalty-box finisher or a creator dropping between the lines, David established himself as one of the league's most consistent attacking players and remains Canada's greatest export to French football.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
FIFA Ranking: 64
Current Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
The only current Ligue 1 McDonald’s player that will be heading over the Atlantic for Bosnia will be young Racing Club de Lens defender Nidal Celik. A highly regarded centre-back prospect, he’s been earmarked as part of Bosnia’s longer-term defensive planning for the next generation, but is yet to receive a senior cap. Otherwise former Olympique de Marseille defender Amar Dedic will be with the Balkan side, he spent last season with Les Phocéens under Roberto De Zerbi.
Tournament Outlook:
Bosnia are one of the lowest ranked sides in the tournament but went through a dramatic play-off run to reach the US. There is, however, the feeling that Bosnia & Herzegovina are coming of age in terms of a new generation coming to the fore. They now take to America as a potential surprise package, with a new blend of old and new after overcoming Wales and Italy in the play-offs.
Ligue 1 legend: Miralem Pjanić – Olympique Lyonnais
Bosnia & Herzegovina's greatest-ever footballer is also an easy choice as the nation's Ligue 1 legend. Arriving at Olympique Lyonnais as a teenager from Metz's academy in 2008, Miralem Pjanić quickly established himself as one of the most gifted midfielders in the French top flight. Blessed with outstanding vision, technique and dead-ball ability, he made more than 120 appearances for Les Gones, helping the club maintain their status among France's elite before earning a move to AS Roma. While he would go on to enjoy even greater success in Italy and Spain, it was in Ligue 1 McDonald's that Pjanić first showcased the qualities that made him one of the finest midfielders of his generation and the most accomplished Bosnian player in football history.
Qatar
FIFA Ranking: 57
Current squad
Qatar arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without any current representatives in Ligue 1 McDonald's. While the nation has strong ties to French football through its ownership of Paris Saint-Germain, no member of the current squad is plying their trade in the French top flight. Most of the Maroons' squad remains based in the Qatar Stars League, with continental champions Al Sadd and Al Duhail providing the backbone of the team that will travel to North America.
Tournament outlook:
Qatar’s World Cup was unsuccessful when they hosted the 2022 and latest edition of the World Cup four years ago. Whilst in the country itself the legacy of the tournament has been positive, they were a team that were reigning Asian champions and expected to do much better on home soil. They will be hoping to do much better on their second attempt this summer with experienced Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui taking on the helm.
Switzerland
Ligue 1 McDonald’s players:
There is a strong Ligue 1 contingent in this Switzerland side heading over to America, with Stade Rennais striker Breel Embolo surely licking his lips again after a successful Euro 2024 campaign. Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo is still in the fray, as Monaco midfielder and captain Denis Zakaria will be deployed as a solid back-up option for Murat Yakin’s men.
Tournament outlook:
The Swiss managed to cruise through World Cup qualifying to reach seven tournaments in a row since missing out on Euro 2012, which is an exceptional feat for a nation of such a small size. But the Swiss are backed with talent and a sense of togetherness which could see them upset a few sides this summer under the experienced Murat Yakin.
Ligue 1 legend: Alexander Frei – Stade Rennais
Switzerland have produced a number of players who left their mark on Ligue 1 McDonald's, but few can match Alexander Frei's impact. Joining Stade Rennais in 2003, the prolific striker quickly established himself as one of the most feared forwards in France, finishing as Ligue 1's top scorer in the 2004-05 season with 20 goals. Across four seasons in Brittany, Frei scored more than 50 league goals and became a fan favourite thanks to his relentless work rate and clinical finishing. Switzerland's all-time leading goalscorer for many years, he remains one of the most successful Swiss players to have graced the French top flight and an enduring figure in Rennes' modern history. Breel Embolo will be looking to build on the Breton-Swiss connection.
READ MORE:
>>World Cup Preview: Group A
