Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovinavs
Qatar
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 · 3:00 p.m. ET · Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), Seattle, WA
Watch: FS1 · Universo
My pick: Bosnia and Herzegovina win · locked 2026-06-23 12:36 UTCPrediction
Bosnia and Herzegovina to win a dead rubber between two sides already out of contention for second place behind Canada and Switzerland. Both teams sit on a single point, but Bosnia have looked the stronger of the two: they held Canada to a draw and only fell apart late against Switzerland, whereas Qatar were thrashed 6-0 by Canada. Sergej Barbarez must reshuffle his defence with Muharemovic suspended, and Qatar are missing the suspended Ahmed and Madibo, but the experience of Dzeko and Demirovic should tell at Lumen Field. 2-1 Bosnia.
The case for Bosnia and Herzegovina
50% to winBosnia carry the more proven attacking pedigree, with Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic leading the line and a midfield that competed well with Canada. Even after the heavy second-half loss to Switzerland and Muharemovic's suspension, Barbarez's side have the quality up front to break down a Qatar defence that shipped six against Canada and is now without two starters.
The case for Qatar
23% to winQatar will want to restore pride after the 6-0 collapse against Canada, and Akram Afif remains a genuine creative threat if Lopetegui can get him on the ball. With Ahmed and Madibo suspended, the reshaped side is under pressure, but a disciplined block and a moment from Afif or Abdurisag could earn an upset or at least a point in a low-stakes finale.
Both cases written 2026-06-23, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 27% belongs to the draw.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-4-24-3-3 QatarThe briefing
Storylines
- A dead rubber: both Bosnia and Qatar sit on one point and are out of the race for second behind Canada and Switzerland.
- Bosnia are without the suspended Tarik Muharemovic, so Dennis Hadzikadunic comes into central defence.
- Qatar lose the suspended Homam Ahmed and Assim Madibo, both sent off in the 6-0 defeat to Canada.
- Edin Dzeko leads the Bosnia line at what is likely his final World Cup; Akram Afif is Qatar's chief creator.
The coaches
Sergej Barbarez Bosnia and Herzegovina
Former Bosnia international leading the Dragons at this World Cup; sets up a direct 4-4-2 built around Dzeko and Demirovic.
Julen Lopetegui Qatar
Experienced Spanish coach in charge of Qatar; forced into changes after two red cards against Canada, deploying a 4-3-3 around Afif.
Availability
| Tarik Muharemović | Out — suspended after a red card in the 4-1 loss to Switzerland; Hadzikadunic replaces him | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
| Homam Ahmed | Out — suspended after a sending-off against Canada; Al Brake set to deputise at left-back | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
| Assim Madibo | Out — suspended after a sending-off against Canada; Boudiaf comes into midfield | Sports Mole preview · 2026-06-23 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Universo in Spanish (stream on Peacock). (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-23)
Weather: Mild Seattle evening at the open-air Lumen Field, around the low-70s Fahrenheit and typically dry in late June. (NWS seasonal climatology, as of 2026-06-23)
Venue: Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field), Seattle, WA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.
