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Switzerland secured its position as the undisputed leader of the this Wednesday, after defeating Canada 2-1 at BC Place in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina triumphed over Qatar with a score of 3-1 at Lumen Field in Seattle, a result that determined the final ranking of the group.
The Swiss finished first with 7 points (two victories and one draw), seven goals scored and three conceded. Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored for Switzerland in the match against Canada; Promise David netted a goal for the North Americans in injury time, but it was not enough.
Canada secured second place thanks to their goal difference. The Canadians and Bosnia and Herzegovina finished tied on 4 points, but Canada's significant goal difference (+5 compared to -1 for the Bosnians) guaranteed them a direct passage as the second qualifier.
Bosnia and Herzegovina provisionally advances as the best third-placed team, although its final qualification for the Round of 16 depends on the results of the other groups in the tournament.
Catar was eliminated in last place with only one point, two goals for and ten against.
The highlight for the team came on the second day, June 18, when Canada crushed Qatar 6-0 at BC Place in Vancouver. Jonathan David scored a hat-trick —the first by a Canadian player in World Cup history— with goals at 29', 45+3', and 90'. Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba, and an own goal by Al Mannai completed the rout. Qatar finished the match with nine players due to the expulsions of H. Al Amin and O. Madibo.
The first round had left the group completely open: Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia (goal by Larin in the 78th minute) and Qatar salvaged a 1-1 draw against Switzerland with Khoukhi's goal in the 90+4th minute. In the second matchday, Switzerland thrashed Bosnia 4-1 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which practically sealed the qualification of the top two teams before the final round.
Regarding the round of sixteen matchups, Switzerland, as the leader of Group B, will face the second-placed team from Group L on July 3 in Vancouver. Canada's opponent is not yet confirmed and depends on how the other groups of the tournament conclude.
The 2026 World Cup features an expanded format of 48 teams divided into 12 groups, where the top two from each group advance along with the eight best third-placed teams to the round of 32.
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