Qatar lost 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina and exits the World Cup. Switzerland clinched first place in Group B after beating Canada. Bosnia keeps hopes alive for a playoff spot.
Qatar's hopes in the World Cup ended abruptly after a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, a result that left the tournament hosts of the previous edition at the bottom of Group B. The match saw Qatar concede twice in the first half, with Bosnia capitalizing on defensive errors and missed opportunities from the Qatari side. Switzerland, meanwhile, secured the group’s top position by defeating Canada 2-1 in a parallel fixture, confirming both teams’ advancement to the next round.
The turning point for Qatar came late in the first half. Bosnia opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful strike from Karim Ali Begovic outside the penalty area. Just five minutes later, a shot from Edin Dzeko deflected off Sultan Al-Brek and ended up in Qatar’s own net, doubling Bosnia’s lead. Dzeko, marking his 150th appearance for Bosnia, nearly added a third, but his effort struck the post.
Qatar managed to respond before halftime. Hassan Al-Haydos reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute with a close-range finish. The team pressed for an equalizer, and Pedro Miguel came close in stoppage time, only to see his shot bounce off the woodwork. Despite several chances in the second half, Qatar failed to convert, and Bosnia sealed the result in the 80th minute when Ermin Mahmic scored the third goal.
With this defeat, Qatar finished the group stage with just one point, confirming their exit from the tournament. Bosnia and Herzegovina, now on four points, remain in contention for a place among the best third-placed teams, pending the outcome of the final group matches. Switzerland’s victory over Canada, secured by goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi, ensured they topped the group with seven points. Canada, despite the loss, advanced as runners-up thanks to a goal from Promis David in the 76th minute.
According to Reuters, the group’s final standings mean Switzerland and Canada move on to the round of 32, while Bosnia’s fate depends on results elsewhere. For Qatar, the early exit marks a disappointing campaign after hosting the previous World Cup. The tournament’s group stage format allows some third-placed teams to progress, adding tension to the final round of matches. The World Cup continues to draw significant attention in Spain, where football remains a central part of sporting life and international results are closely followed by fans and media alike.
