The final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage began on Wednesday with major developments in Group B, where Switzerland defeated co-hosts Canada 2-1 in Vancouver to secure first place in the standings.
The victory allowed Switzerland to finish at the top of the group, while Canada advanced in second place. Although the Canadians missed the chance to claim the group title and continue playing knockout matches on home soil, they still achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the last 32 for the first time in the nation's history.
As a result, Canada will travel to the United States for the next phase of the tournament, where they are set to face South Africa in one of the first confirmed knockout-stage fixtures.
Switzerland joined several nations that have already secured top spot in their respective groups, including Mexico, the United States, Germany, and Argentina. Brazil also strengthened its position at the summit of its group after recording a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland.
Meanwhile, seven teams have already seen their World Cup campaigns come to an end. Qatar, the Czech Republic, Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, and Panama have all been eliminated and will not progress beyond the group stage.
Attention is now turning to the remaining group matches, where qualification battles remain intense. The expanded 48-team World Cup format has introduced a new dynamic, with eight of the twelve third-placed teams also advancing to the knockout rounds.
Several nations remain uncertain about their fate as they await the completion of the group stage. Bosnia-Herzegovina currently sit in a strong position with four points, while South Korea and Scotland remain hopeful of progressing despite collecting only three points each.
The knockout bracket is beginning to take shape, with a number of intriguing potential matchups already emerging. The opening match of the Round of 32 is scheduled to take place in Inglewood, California, on Sunday and will feature South Africa against Canada.
With more qualification places still to be decided and several groups yet to conclude, the race for the World Cup knockout stage remains wide open as teams battle to extend their journeys in the tournament.
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