Qatar v Switzerland team news: Xhaka, Akanji and Ndoye start

Qatar and Switzerland have confirmed their teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group B fixture in Santa Clara, California.

Qatar are making a second consecutive appearance at the World Cup finals after hosting the tournament four years ago and the Al-Annabi will be hoping to fare better on this occasion.

Qualifying for the World Cup in their own right, Qatar are led by former Real Madrid, Wolves and West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui. During his stint with Spain's national team, where he succeeded Vicente del Bosque in 2016, Switzerland were one of the few teams his La Roja side were unable to topple, drawing against the Swiss in a warm-up match before the 2018 World Cup.

Switzerland arrive in the United States in great shape following a routine qualifying campaign where they recorded four wins and two draws to top a section featuring Kosovo, Slovenia and Sweden.

Murat Yakin's side have progressed to the last 16 at the last previous World Cups, while the Swiss enjoyed quarter-final runs at Euro 2020 and again at Euro 2024.

Yakin has opted for a back three formation with Michel Aebischer and Ricardo Rodriguez operating as wing-backs.

Three Premier League players feature in Switzerland's starting XI as Manuel Akanji plays at the heart of the defence, Granit Xhaka slots into a midfield quartet and Nottingham Forest's Dan Ndoye will operate on the right side of an attacking three.

Breel Embolo leads the line, with Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel between the sticks.

Qatar XI

Abunada; Al-Oui, Pedro Miguel, Khoukhi, Ahmed, Laye; Gaber, Madibo, Abdurisag; Edmilson, Afif.

Substitutes: Alaaeldin, Al Brake, Al Ganehi, Al Haydos, Al Hussain, Ali, Al Mannai, Barsham, Boudiaf, Fathi, Hatem, Jamshid, Mendes, Muntari, Zakaria.

Switzerland XI

Kobel; Akanji, Elvedi, Zakaria; Aebischer, Freuler, Xhaka, Rodríguez; Ndoye, Vargas; Embolo.

Substitutes: Mvogo, Keller, Amdouni, Amenda, Comert, Fassnacht, Itten, Jaquez, Jashari, Manzambi, Muheim, Okafor, Rieder, Sow, Widmer.