Thursday, September 10, 2026

World Cup: Canada, Switzerland secure round of 32 tickets; Qatar out of competition

Switzerland finished as the winner of Group B with seven points.

• June 24, 2026
Canada and Switzerland players
Canada and Switzerland players [ Credit: Sportsnet /Emma Peterson/AP]

Canada and Switzerland are through to the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the North American co-hosts losing 2-1 to the European side in their final group-stage match on Wednesday.

Ruben Vargas opened the scoring for Switzerland just one minute after the half-time break from an assist by John Manzambi before the latter scored in the 57th minute.

The Canadians left it late before mounting a comeback when substitute Promise David pulled one back in the 76th minute after volleying home a sublime cross from Nathan Saliba, but they were unable to find the net again.

With the victory, Switzerland finished as the winner of Group B with seven points, while Canada secured the second automatic knockout spot with four points despite the defeat.

This tournament marks the first time Canada will play in the World Cup knockout round.

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina thrashed Qatar 3-1 in the second Group B tie to put themselves in a good position to qualify for the knockout round as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third in the group with four points, while Qatar has officially been eliminated from the World Cup after earning just one point from three matches.

Kerim Alajbegovic, Mahmud Abunada (own goal) and Ermin Mahmic were the goalscorers for Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Hassan Al Haidos netted Qatar’s consolation goal.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

NNPC

States

NNPC inaugurates smart filling station in Abuja

Mr Baba-Kukawa said NNPC Retail would replicate the model across the country.

polio vaccination

Health

eHealth Africa supports vaccination of 23 million children in 15 northern states

Mr Fawaz said eHealth Africa strengthened diagnostic and disease-surveillance capacity across Africa. 

Idu Railway Station

Abuja

Fire guts electrical room at Abuja train station

The NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said this in a statement on Thursday.

Algeria and UAE

World

Algeria cuts bilateral ties with UAE

Algerian media outlets have previously accused the UAE of seeking to fuel regional tensions.

Lagos waterfront

Lagos

Lagos outlines strategic measures to tackle flooding, dredging

Mr Bush-Alebiosu said the government’s approach was not merely to react to flooding.