Switzerland outwit Canada to claim Group B at 2026 World Cup

Switzerland claimed top spot in Group B at the World Cup on Wednesday following a 2-1 win over Canada in Vancouver.

Issued on: 24/06/2026 - 23:49Modified: 25/06/2026 - 03:01

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Canada started the tie tentatively despite raucous support from the vast majority of the fans inside the stadium.

Jesse Marsch's men finished the first half strongly but it was the Swiss who made the breakthrough less than a minute into the second half.

Johan Manzambi clipped a cross into the centre of the Canada penalty area from the right wing which found its way to Ruben Vargas.

Swiss strikers on a roll

He controlled the ball and shot past the Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.

Eleven minutes later, Vargas returned the favour setting up Manzambi to double the advantage.

Though Canada substitute Promise David halved the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, Canada could not find the equaliser that would have given them the group.

Instead, they finished second on four points and in the last 32 will play the runner-up from Group A in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Switzerland will remain in Vancouver and take on one of the best third-placed teams on 2 July.

"I am disappointed that we were not able to get a win or a draw to keep us here in Vancouver," Marsch said.

"I'm so thankful for the energy in the country, and certainly in the stadium. We are going to go to LA but we still want to electrify our country and play really well down there, and go after it still."

Bosnia and Herzegovina finish third

Bosnia and Herzegovina overpowered Qatar 3-1 to take third spot in Group B.

Kerim Alajbegovic scored the first goal with a shot from 25 metres out that flew past the Qatar goalkeeper Mahmud Ibrahim Abunada.

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Sultan Albrake put the ball into his own goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina's second before the Qatar skipper Hasan Al Haydos brought his team back into the tie with a goal on the stroke of half time.

But there was no comeback in the second half. Ermin Mahmic wrapped up the points 10 minutes from time.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are playing at the World Cup for the second time, have a chance to qualify for the last 32 knockout stages as one of the eight best third placed teams.

They must wait until the end of the pool games to see whether they will carry on.