Switzerland beat Canada 2-1; South Korea would face Canada in round of 32 with second-place finish

Switzerland defeated co-host Canada in the final group-stage match of the 2026 North America World Cup, setting up a potential round-of-32 clash between the two sides should South Korea advance as runners-up in their group.

Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 on Thursday at BC Place in Vancouver, with Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scoring in quick succession in the second half to seal the result.

Switzerland finished Group B in first place with two wins and a draw — seven points — after drawing 1-1 with Qatar, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, and then defeating Canada. Canada, who had drawn 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina and routed Qatar 6-0, finished second in the group with one win, one draw and one loss for four points.

South Korea faces South Africa at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Thursday. A draw or a win would send South Korea through to the round of 32 as Group B runners-up, setting up a match against Canada at 4 a.m. Monday, June 29, at Los Angeles Stadium.

Switzerland drew first blood. In the 11th minute, Breel Embolo had a one-on-one chance but was stopped by the goalkeeper, and a follow-up shot by Manzambi was blocked by a defender.

Canada's striker Cyle Larin made two runs in behind the defense looking for a goal but was flagged offside both times. The two sides traded chances in an intense first half that ended goalless.

Switzerland broke the deadlock just after the restart. In the 46th minute, Manzambi drove down the right flank and delivered a cross, and Vargas finished unmarked to give Switzerland the lead.

Switzerland quickly extended their lead. In the 57th minute, the ball dropped into the Canadian danger area and Manzambi latched onto a pass from Embolo, finishing with his right foot to make it 2-0.

Canada refused to fold. After bringing on Tani Oluwaseyi, Stephen Eustaquio, Liam Millar and Promise David in succession, Canada pulled one back in the 76th minute. Nathan Saliba brought the ball under control and played it forward, and Promise David finished with a right-footed volley to cut the deficit.

Canada pressed hard for an equalizer throughout six minutes of stoppage time, repeatedly sending balls into the box and testing the goalkeeper, but could not find a way through.

Canada appointed Jesse Marsch as head coach in May 2024 to prepare for the tournament. Marsch, who was also mentioned as a candidate to succeed former South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann, is a familiar name to Korean football fans.

Under Marsch, Canada entered the World Cup having gone 15 wins, eight draws and eight losses in 31 official matches. Despite falling to Switzerland in their final group game, Canada advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time in the country's history.

Group B winners Switzerland will play in the round of 32 at BC Place in Vancouver at noon on July 3, against one of the third-place finishers from Groups E, F, G, I or J.