Mexico booked their place in the knockout stage, but it was Canada who stole the spotlight, hammering Qatar 6-0 in one of the most dominant performances of the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far.
Mexico became one of the first teams to punch their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, while Canada delivered a statement performance with a six-goal demolition of Qatar as Groups A and B produced contrasting emotions on Thursday.
In Guadalajara, Mexico continued their steady march through the tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea. The win secured qualification for the Round of 32 and underlined Mexico’s growing confidence on home soil. South Korea, meanwhile, now face a tense final group match as they battle to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Earlier in Group A, Czechia and South Africa fought out a 1-1 draw in a result that leaves the group finely balanced beneath Mexico. Neither side could find a winner despite both knowing three points would have dramatically improved their qualification prospects.
If Mexico’s victory was efficient, Canada’s performance was explosive.
Playing in front of a jubilant home crowd, Canada crushed Qatar 6-0 to record one of the most emphatic victories of the tournament so far. The Canadians attacked relentlessly from the opening whistle, overwhelming a Qatari side that struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and movement.
The six-goal rout not only boosted Canada’s goal difference but also sent a warning to potential knockout-stage opponents that the co-hosts are capable of far more than merely participating in the tournament.
Switzerland strengthened their qualification hopes with a 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia’s challenge became even harder after a red card reduced them to ten men, and Switzerland took full advantage to secure a comfortable victory.
With one round of matches remaining, Mexico are safely through from Group A, while Canada and Switzerland have placed themselves in commanding positions in Group B. For South Korea, South Africa, Czechia and Bosnia, however, the final group-stage fixtures will likely determine whether their World Cup journeys continue or come to an end.
Results
Group A
- Mexico 1-0 South Korea
- Czechia 1-1 South Africa
Group B
- Canada 6-0 Qatar
- Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
