The last day of group-stage games brought another dramatic day at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in which Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa and Mexico were victorious. Some teams were celebrating qualification, some ended up losing World Cup dreams.
Probably the biggest winners of the day were Switzerland and Mexico, who completed the group games in style, while Bosnia’s next generation announced itself on the world stage through the emergence of a sensational teenage talent.
Switzerland 2-1 Canada: Swiss Efficiency Secures Top Spot
Switzerland defeated Canada 2-1 to finish Group B winners with seven points. After a cagey first half the Swiss came alive immediately after the break.
Rubin Vargas opened the lead just minutes into the second half, before 20-year-old Johan Manzambi doubled the lead with a clinical finish. Canada responded through substitute Promise David in the 76th minute, setting up a tense finale, but Switzerland held firm to win.
Johan Manzambi was the main performer with his energy and running and his late goal that took Switzerland to win the game. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel also made a few late saves that kept the team in the lead.
With this result Switzerland leads the group and Canada also advances to the knockout stage after an outstanding group campaign in terms of group performance.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar: Alajbegović Announces Himself
If there was one breakout star from the day's action, it was 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegović.
The teenager scored one of the goals of the tournament with a spectacular strike in Bosnia and Herzegovina's 3-1 victory over Qatar. Bosnia achieved further goals through a Qatar own goal and a late finish from Ermin Mahmić, while Hassan Al-Haydos scored Qatar’s consolation goal.
Alajbegović’s performance was so impressive that many analysts have already referred to him as the future of Bosnian football. The Bayer Leverkusen player had all the ingredients of creativity, confidence and calm beyond his age. Veteran captain Edin Džeko was a leader throughout the match and put Bosnia in the path of a possible historic qualification.
The victory leaves Bosnia as one of the strongest third-placed teams to advance to the knockout rounds. Qatar leaves the tournament without a single point.
South Africa 1-0 South Korea: A Massive Upset
South Africa produced one of the surprises of the tournament by defeating South Korea 1-0.
Thapelo Maseko’s strike was enough to save the day as the two sides scraped through at the end of a hard-fought match. South Africa had a lot of defensive discipline and a lot of resilience in the face of a talented Korean side.
Maseko was probably the game’s best player not only scoring the winner, but also as a constant threat on the counterattack. Ronwen Williams and the South African defence deserve enormous credit for keeping a clean sheet so well under pressure.
The result keeps South Africa’s hopes alive and could have a significant impact on qualification in such a final group situation.
Mexico 3-0 Czech Republic: El Tri Send a Warning
Mexico ended the group stage with a perfect 3-0 win over Czech Republic and three wins from three matches. Mexico won Group A and is one of the most impressive teams of the tournament so far.
Even more impressive is Mexico's defensive record. El Tri won the entire group stage without conceding a single goal; they’ve got good balance between attack and defence.
The Mexican midfield controlled possession throughout the game and the attacking unit always managed to find spaces behind the Czech defense. The Czech Republic lost and Mexico did so with the result and the Mexican team had established itself as a genuine contender for a deep tournament run.
Players to Watch Going Forward
Kerim Alajbegović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) — the teenage sensation could be one of the main players of the knockout stage. • Johan Manzambi (Switzerland) — the emerging Swiss talent who performs in big matches is still making an impact. • Thapelo Maseko (South Africa) — a match-winner in the final and confident. Rubin Vargas (Switzerland) is the creative force behind Switzerland's attack. Mexico's disciplined core is now one of the most balanced teams of the tournament.
As the knockout rounds get closer, Switzerland and Mexico look more and more threatening, Bosnia have found a future superstar, and South Africa have reminded everyone that World Cups are built on surprises.
