The FIFA World Cup 2026 saw co-host Canada in Group B with Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Qatar. Canada drew 1-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by a 6-0 win against Qatar and a 2-1 loss to Switzerland.
Canada finished second in Group B with four points, advancing to the round of 32 where they faced South Africa.
Looking at Canada’s roster, the name that undoubtedly stood out was Alphonso Davies. According to the Guardian, Davies suffered a hamstring injury on May 6 while playing for Bayern Munich against Paris Saint-Germain. This injury is most likely the reason why he did not start any group-stage matches for Canada.
Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada got their first point in the World Cup. In the second half, with Canada trailing by one goal, Bosnia and Herzegovina parked the bus. Canada was able to break the defensive structure and access open positions behind the defence by using a third-man combination with Cyle Larin to score and tie the match 1-1.
Larin continued this momentum to score the opening goal against Qatar in their second game. Jonathan David scored a hat trick, while Nathan Saliba added another. Qatar’s Mohamed Manai scored an own goal. Ismaël Koné fractured both the tibia and fibula following a tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo and was carried off the field on a stretcher. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said, “everyone could hear the bone snap.” After the match, Madibo received a five-match ban from FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
When Canada played Switzerland, it was clear the Swiss would outclass them. Canada’s impressive pressing in the first half kept the match level. Both teams grappled in midfield, with neither side able to beat the goalkeeper. The match soon changed after the second half started. Switzerland played through Canada’s press and bypassed the Canadian midfield with direct through balls. This allowed them to score two quick goals, one in the 46th minute and another in the 57th. Promise David scored a consolation goal for Canada in the 76th minute. Despite a few opportunities, Canada could not convert them in the final minutes.
In the round of 32, Canada faced South Africa.
Both teams had similar possession, South Africa with 58 per cent and Canada with 42 per cent. South Africa completed far more passes (468 to Canada’s 298) but could not create much of a threat. This was the same for Canada until Davies came off the bench, adding pace to Canada’s momentum. Canada was neither dominating nor finding success with counterattacks. Both teams played more cautiously.
Canada seemed to play with the intention of not going into extra time. They also improved their pace significantly in the last 15 minutes after Davies came on.
In the 90+1 minute, Jacob Shaffelburg delivered a low cross into the penalty box of South Africa, which was headed away by Ime Okon. The partial clearance fell to Stephen Eustáquio just outside the box, who received the ball with his chest, controlled it and smashed a right-footed volley into the net, giving Canada the lead.
Marsch spoke in the post-match interview after the 1-0 win over South Africa. “The timing of the goal means that the win is incredibly dramatic,” he said. “I think the effect that it will have in Canada and the inspiring of people will be immense.”
Despite a few attempts by South Africa to equalize, Canada held on with a solid defence, ending the game 1-0 and sending Canada into the round of 16 for the first time in the country’s history.
Canada will face Morocco on Saturday, July 4, in Texas, U.S., in the round of 16 at noon CDT.
