One down, 31 to go as Mexico advance
Mexico became the first side to book their place in the first-ever World Cup round of 32, edging past South Korea in Group A.
The decisive moment in Guadalajara came early in the second half when goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu collided with his own player, dropping the ball and allowing Luis Romo to stroke home into an empty net.
El Tri’s progress means they’ll appear in the knockout stage for the ninth time in 10 World Cups – and they need just a point from their final group game against Czechia to ensure their last-32 tie takes place in Mexico City.
Canada run riot on day of mixed emotions
Canada could scarcely have recorded their maiden World Cup win in more emphatic style, inflicting a 6-0 drubbing on Qatar to go top of Group B on goal difference.
Jonathan David joined Lionel Messi as the second player to register a hat-trick at these finals, though this comprehensive victory came in less-than-ideal circumstances for the co-hosts.
Having seen Homam Elamin sent off for a last-man foul in the first half, Qatar played most of the second half with nine men after Assim Madibo was dismissed for an unintentional but nasty foul on Ismael Kone, leaving the midfielder with a broken tibia and fibula.
In a touching moment of togetherness, the injured Kone’s replacement, Nathan Saliba, held up his teammate’s shirt after putting Canada 4-0 up with the first direct free-kick goal of the 2026 World Cup.
Swiss starlet Manzambi makes his mark
Johan Manzambi came off the bench to bag his first major tournament goals as Switzerland recorded their first win of the 2026 World Cup, sweeping aside 10-man Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1.
The 20-year-old Freiburg player broke the deadlock with one of the goals of the finals so far, unleashing a ferocious volley which was too hot for goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj to handle. His shot was clocked at 79mph.
Manzambi, making his second appearance of the World Cup, added a second on 90 minutes to make absolutely sure of Swiss success in Los Angeles, perhaps showing why, despite being a midfielder by trade, he was given the number nine shirt.
Remarkably, the Geneva-born youngster originally wanted to be a goalkeeper, growing up idolising German great Manuel Neuer.
Team of the Day
There are two games apiece in Group C and Group D on day nine of the 2026 World Cup.
In Group D, co-hosts the USA could seal their spot in the last 32, as could their opponents Australia. Turkey face Paraguay in the group’s other match, both having lost their openers.
And in Group C, Scotland are aiming to do likewise when they take on Morocco, with Brazil eyeing up their first win of the tournament against Haiti.
USA chasing historic double
The USA couldn’t have asked for much more than the 4-1 win over Paraguay with which they kicked off their home World Cup – though as impressive as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were that night, Australia ought to present a sterner test, having seen off fancied Turkey 2-0.
Should the States come out on top in the first competitive meeting between the two nations, they’ll make a little bit of history – they’ve never won more than one group game at a World Cup – though more importantly, they’ll be through to the last 32.
Australia won twice to reach the last 16 four years ago in Qatar; the Socceroos have never advanced from the group at successive World Cups. But, the expanded competition this time around means they almost certainly only need one more point to, at worst, progress as one of the eight best third-placed teams. The same goes for the USA.
Will the USA notch another big win today?
Scotland look to go where they’ve never gone before
Having clinched their first World Cup win since 1990 against Haiti, Scotland have the opportunity they’ve never done in eight previous attempts: reach the knockout stage of a major tournament.
As in the case of Australia and the USA, Scotland are unlikely to need more than a draw to ensure their passage from the group – though there is the extra incentive of winning multiple games at a major finals for the very first time.
Standing in Scotland’s way in Group C are 2022 World Cup semi-finalists and reigning African champions Morocco – who extended their unbeaten run to 29 matches by drawing 1-1 with Brazil in their opening match, and who also beat Scotland 3-0 in the countries’ only previous encounter at France ’98…
Brazil hoping to hit their stride against Haiti
Brazil extended their unbeaten run in World Cup openers to 21 games and 92 years, but the five-time winners were less than convincing in their draw against Morocco.
Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping the clash with group outsiders Haiti – 77 places below them in the FIFA World Ranking – allows his team to get into their groove and boost confidence by racking up the goals.
Vinicius Junior showed his star quality by bagging the equaliser last time out, and don’t be surprised to see him joined up front on this occasion by Matheus Cunha after Igor Thiago disappointed on his competitive international debut.
