Two of the FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts secured important wins on day seven, Mexico becoming the first nation to secure passage through to the Round of 32, and Canada taking a big step towards joining them.
It was a day that featured 14 goals across four matches in Groups A and B, as well as a World Cup hat-trick for Canadian striker Jonathan David.
Group A
Czechia 1 South Africa 1
In Group A Czechia and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw that did little for either sides chance of progressing into the Round of 32 as both lost ground on the early pacesetters in the group and must win their final game to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
South Africa bossed most of the possession after falling behind to an early goal from Czechia midfielder Michal Sadilek, the onrushing lynchpin slotting a tidy finish across the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the far corner of the net for the quickest goal of the tournament to date.
Having lost their first match to Mexico, and saw two players dismissed, South Africa needed to find a way back into the contest, and they managed to do so with seven minutes of regulation time left.
Awarded a penalty after Pavel Sulic handled inside the area, Teboho Mokoena kept his cool to equalise from the spot, scoring South Africa’s first goal at a FIFA World Cup finals in sixteen years. The goal just about keeps their hopes of making it past the group stages intact setting up some last day drama.
Mexico 1 Korea Republic 0
Mexico have become the first team qualify for the Round of 32 with a narrow 1-0 success over nearest challengers Korea Republic in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. A strike from Luis Romo five minutes into the second half proved the difference between the teams in a tight and tense encounter.
There was little to choose between the protagonists in the opening forty-five, premium chances few and far between, with Korea hoping to hit Son Heung-Min at the earliest opportunity, whilst Mexico were more considered in their build-up, but equally unable to create anything of note.
A howler from Korea Republic goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu gifted Mexico the lead early in the second half. Failing to adequately collect a cross, Kim dropped the ball directly into the path of a grateful Romo and the midfielder guided it back into the unguarded goal for what proved to be the defining moment.
Korea sought a way back into the match and went close to leveling only for a magnificent double-save from Raúl Rangel to deny Cho Gue-sung close to the full-time whistle, shortly after Kim had redeemed his error with a sensational one-handed parry at the other end.
Group B
Switzerland 4 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
A Swiss avalanche of four goals in the final sixteen minutes broke open a rather staid affair between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina but ensures that the Swiss are in a prime position to make it into the Round of 32 following their victory at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The introduction of lively substitute Johan Mazambi proved crucial, the Switzerland forward breaking the deadlock less than three minutes after coming on, volleying past goalkeeper Nikola Vaslj in the 74th minute.
The dismissal of defender Tarik Muharemović with ten minutes remaining allowed the Red Crosses more freedom and when Rueben Vargas curled home the second just four minutes later, the game was as good as up for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mazambi added a second in the final minute, converting from close range after good work from Vargas, before The Dragons pulled one back in spectacular fashion as Ermin Mahmić stunningly volleyed into the bottom corner. Switzerland had the final word however as Granit Xhaka converted from the spot deep into additional time.
Canada 6 Qatar 0
Canada romped to a first ever FIFA World Cup victory with a 6-0 hammering of nine-man Qatar in front of a rapturous home crowd at BC Place in Vancouver, led by a hat-trick from star striker Jonathan David. The Canadian forward struck twice in the first half and completed his treble in stoppage time as the co-hosts bagged half-a-dozen as they ran Qatar ragged.
Cyle Larin put Canada in front in the sixteenth minute with a sharp finish to which David added to just before the half-hour. The dismissal of Homam Al Amin for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity left the Qataris with a mountain to climb, one that took on Everest proportions as David made it three in stoppage time.
A serious injury to Ismaël Koné was the only sour note for the home team, the challenge on the midfielder leading to Assim Madibo also seeing red, leaving Qatar with nine men for close to forty minutes of what time remained.
Canada took full advantage. Nathan Saliba crashed home the fourth goal, before an unfortunate own goal off Mohammad Al Manni took the scoreline out to 5-0. David completed his personal haul in stoppage time, reacting fastest to slide home the sixth as the Canucks took a giant step towards the knockout phases.
Results
Group A
Czechia 1 (Michal SADILEK 6’) South Africa 1 (Teboho MOKOENA 83’ (p))
(Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
Mexico 1 (Luis ROMO 50’) Korea Republic 0
(Estadio Akron, Guadalajara)
Group B
Switzerland 4 (Johan MAZAMBI 74’, 90’, Ruben VARGAS 84’, Granit XHAKA 90+7’ (p)) Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 (Ermin MAHMIC 90+3’)
(SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles)
Canada 6 (Cyle LARIN 16’, Jonathan DAVID 29’, 45+3’, 90+2’, Nathan SALIBA 64’, Mohammad AL MANNI 75’ (og)) Qatar 0
(BC Place, Vancouver)
Coming Up
Saturday 20 June
Group D: USA v Australia (7am), Türkiye v Paraguay (3pm)
Group C: Scotland v Morocco (10am), Brazil v Haiti (12.30pm)