Switzerland and Canada became the latest teams to book their places in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 on June 25, 2026, while Bosnia and Herzegovina now face a tense wait to see if they will advance. The results from Group G and Group H matches reshaped the knockout-stage picture, with Switzerland topping Group G after a 2-0 victory over Serbia, and Canada securing second place in Group H with a 1-0 win against Morocco.
Switzerland Dominates Serbia to Win Group G
Switzerland delivered a commanding performance in their final group match, defeating Serbia 2-0 in Doha. Goals from Xherdan Shaqiri in the 20th minute and Breel Embolo in the 68th minute sealed the win, ensuring Switzerland finished first in Group G with seven points. Serbia, needing a win to advance, ended their campaign with just one point and were eliminated. Switzerland's disciplined defense and clinical finishing were key, as they limited Serbia to only three shots on target.
Switzerland's progression marks their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance in the knockout stages, a feat achieved by only a handful of nations. Coach Murat Yakin praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed great character and tactical discipline. This group was tough, but we deserved to top it." The Swiss will now face the runner-up from Group E in the round of 16.
Canada Edges Morocco to Claim Second in Group H
Canada secured a historic place in the round of 32 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Group H. The only goal came from Jonathan David in the 42nd minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Morocco. Canada's defense held firm throughout, with goalkeeper Milan Borjan making five crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. This is Canada's first World Cup knockout-stage appearance since 1986, ending a 40-year drought.
Canada finished second in Group H with five points, behind group winners Portugal. Morocco, despite a valiant effort, ended with four points and were eliminated. Canada coach John Herdman expressed pride in his team: "This is a moment for the entire nation. The players gave everything, and we are excited for the next challenge." Canada will face the winner of Group E in the round of 16.
Bosnia's Fate Hangs in the Balance After Loss
Bosnia and Herzegovina's hopes of advancing to the round of 32 are now uncertain following a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Group H. Portugal took an early lead through Bruno Fernandes in the 15th minute, but Bosnia equalized via Edin Džeko's penalty in the 38th minute. However, a second-half strike from João Félix in the 63rd minute sealed the win for Portugal, leaving Bosnia with three points from three matches.
Bosnia now must wait for results from other groups to see if they can qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. With four points, they are currently in a precarious position, relying on results from Groups E and F to go their way. Coach Ivaylo Petev remained hopeful: "We gave our best, but it wasn't enough today. We will watch the other matches and hope for a miracle."
Group G and H Standings After Final Matches
In Group G, Switzerland topped with seven points, followed by Cameroon with four points after a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Brazil, already eliminated, finished third with two points, while Serbia ended with one point. In Group H, Portugal led with nine points, Canada had five, Morocco four, and Bosnia three. The round of 32 now features 24 confirmed teams, with the final eight spots to be decided over the next two days.
The World Cup continues to deliver dramatic moments, with Switzerland and Canada joining the likes of Argentina, France, and England in the knockout phase. For Bosnia, the wait continues, with their fate to be determined by results from other groups.
