FIFA 2026 / Maninder K. Chandhoke

Canada’s final group game did not go the way it wanted to go. Beaten 1-2 by Switzerland, Canada still squeezed into the Round of 32, where, for the first time, it will travel to Los Angeles to take on the runner-up team of Group A on June 28 in probably one of the initial Round of 32 matches.

Switzerland, by virtue of finishing at the top of the group, will stay put in Vancouver to play its first knockout-round match on July 7.

Portugal also moved to the knockout round as Christiano Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in each of the six World Cups he has played. Though Lionel Messi has the maximum number of World Cup goals (18) to his credit and is, like Ronaldo, playing his sixth World Cup, he yields this record to his Portuguese opponent as Messi did not score a goal in the 2010 World Cup.

Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan to complete a rare record. Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 to move to the knockout round.

In spite of the 1-2 defeat at the hands of Switzerland, Canada continues to set new records. After getting its first-ever FIFA World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it scripted a golden chapter in its soccer history with a thumping 6-0 win over Qatar for its first-ever and biggest World Cup win. Now it has qualified for the knockout round in its third World Cup appearance.

Its final match of the group stage did not exactly go to plan, with Canada, after putting up a splendid show in the second half, going down 1-2 to Switzerland at Vancouver's BC Place on Wednesday.

Canadians heaved a sigh of relief as, at the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a 3-1 win over Qatar to guarantee that they still finished second in Group B and moved on to the Round of 32.

Team coach Marsch made two changes to his starting lineup to face Switzerland, both in the central midfield. Nathan Saliba and Mathieu Choiniere came in for Stephen Eustáquio (who is dealing with muscle tightness) and the injured Ismael Koné.

And the packed BC Place stadium stood as one with visual tributes to Koné, with fans displaying 8s (his jersey number) in various forms. He also received a touching ovation during warmups when he came out to field level in a wheelchair.

In Eustáquio's absence, striker Jonathan David, fresh off a hat trick against Qatar, wore the captain's armband.

The game, as expected, started on a brisk note, with players on either side working on moves to gain an early lead for their teams. The Swiss were the first to have a good glimpse of the Canadian goal. It was in the 11th minute when a Swiss attacker was through on goal, but Maxime Crepeau came up with a tremendous save.

The home side's first real scoring chance came in the 33rd minute. Cyle Larin, who scored in the first two games, fired a low shot within the penalty area. His shot was, however, saved by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Midfielder Ali Ahmed forced another diving save from Kobel in the 41st minute. It was a tight, physical first half, but there was no score at halftime.

After the change of ends, the game took a turn to the great dismay of the home team. Switzerland got behind the Canadian defense, and Ruben Vargas scored from close range to put the visitors up 1-0. Not far behind was the second Swiss goal, which came 10 minutes later. This time it was Johan Manzambi who found the back of the net.

Canada refused to give up as it got one back in spectacular fashion in the 75th minute. A great touch and pass from Saliba led to a goal from Promise David, who'd only entered the match a few minutes earlier.

The sold-out BC Place crowd desperately urged Canada forward as the game entered its dying minutes. But despite creating several half chances, the Canadians couldn't find the equalizing goal.

Despite Marsch suggesting beforehand that he expected captain Alphonso Davies to make his long-awaited first appearance of this World Cup, Davies did not enter the match against Switzerland.

Canada finished its Group B campaign with four points from three games. Though Bosnia and Herzegovina also had four points, its goal differential put it behind Canada in third place. Qatar finished fourth and last in the group and joined Turkey, Panama and other teams in packing for the return journey home.

Canada's Round of 32 match will be played on Sunday at noon PT/3 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Stadium. Their opponent will be the second-place team from Group A: either South Korea, Czechia or South Africa.

Canada’s Round of 32 match will be back at BC Place on Thursday, July 2. Their opponent will be a third-place team from another group, though that won’t be known until all group-stage matches are finished on June 28.

The knockout rounds consist of single-elimination matches that must have a winner. A tied score after 90 minutes means extra time and, if required, a penalty shootout.

The winner of Canada's Round of 32 match will move on to the Round of 16, while the losing team is eliminated.

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