FIFA World Cup: Mexico Confirms Knockout Berth, Historic Win for Canada

Co-host Canada recorded a historic victory at the FIFA World Cup, thrashing Qatar 6–0 at BC Place in Vancouver Thursday Morning.

Jonathan David scored a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin and Nathan Delaine Saliba added one goal each. Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Manai contributed an own goal. This was the second hat-trick of the 23rd edition of the tournament, following Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s earlier feat. For Jonathan David, it was his first-ever World Cup hat-trick.

Qatar finished the match with just nine players. Homam Al-Amin was sent off in the 33rd minute of the first half, and Assim Madibo followed with a red card in the 53rd minute. With these dismissals, the tournament has now seen a total of five red cards in 27 matches, surpassing the four shown in the entire 2022 World Cup.

While Canada celebrated its first-ever World Cup win, Qatar remains in search of its maiden victory.

The final Group B match will be against Bosnia on June 25.

Meanwhile, with back‑to‑back victories, co‑host Mexico has become the first nation to secure a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

In Group ‘A’, Mexico earned its second consecutive win by defeating South Korea 1–0.

The decisive moment came in the 50th minute at Guadalajara’s home stadium, when midfielder Luis Romo scored the only goal of the match. With this result, Mexico climbed to the top of Group ‘A’ and became the first team to guarantee a spot in the knockout round of the tournament.

For South Korea, this was their first defeat in the second match. The Asian side had beaten Czechia in their opening game, so their chances of reaching the knockout stage remain alive.

Substitute midfielder Yohan Manzambi lit up the stage as Switzerland secured a stunning 4–1 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in their second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

In the Group ‘B’ clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday midnight, Manzambi replaced striker Dan Ndoye in the 72nd minute. Within two minutes, he broke the deadlock with a volley, and later in the 90th minute added another goal—this time from a pass by forward Ruben Vargas, who had entered the field alongside him.

Vargas himself had scored in the 84th minute, extending Switzerland’s lead to 2–0. Just before that, Bosnia had been reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when center-back Tarik Muharemović was shown a red card for tackling striker Breel Embolo outside the penalty box. With the numerical advantage, Switzerland pressed harder, paving the way for Manzambi’s second goal.

On the other hand, South Africa has kept alive its chances of reaching the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. On Thursday, midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s penalty goal earned them a point against Czechia, ensuring their mathematical hopes remain intact.

In their second Group ‘A’ match at Atlanta Stadium, both teams desperately needed a win. However, the contest ended in a 1–1 draw.

Czechia, who had lost 2–1 to South Korea in their opening game, needed three points to stay in contention for the top two spots in the group. But the draw against South Africa dealt a blow to those hopes. Now, Czechia must win their final match against Mexico—there is no alternative.

Just like South Korea earlier, Czechia had a “dream start.” Midfielder Michal Sadílek scored in the sixth minute, giving them an early lead. It was the fastest goal of the tournament so far.