World Cup 2026 Group B: Canada's historic first win, Jonathan David hat-trick
June 25 update, FINAL STANDINGS Group B: Switzerland 7 pts (1st, qualified), Canada 4 pts (2nd, qualified on goal difference), Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 pts (3rd, potential best third-place), Qatar 1 pt (eliminated). MD3 (June 24): Switzerland 2-1 Canada (Vargas 46', Manzambi 57'; Jonathan David 76'); Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Qatar (Alajbegovic 29', OG 34', Mahmic 80'; Al-Haydos 42').
The context
Canada made history on the night of June 18, 2026, at BC Place in Vancouver: a 6-0 demolition of Qatar, the first men’s World Cup win in Canadian football history. The country had waited 40 years for this moment, their only previous World Cup appearance having come in 1986 in Mexico, where they lost all three group matches without scoring. When the final whistle sounded to end a landmark victory, the celebrations at BC Place were unlike anything Canadian football had seen.
Jonathan David led the charge. The striker from Lille became the first Canadian player ever to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, finishing with three goals in a dominant display. Cyle Larin, who had equalised in the opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina, scored again, Nathan Saliba added a fifth, and an own goal completed the rout. Canada controlled the entire match: 78% possession, 19 corner kicks, Qatar limited to two shots. The 6-0 scoreline is also the largest ever victory by a CONCACAF nation in World Cup history. The only note of sadness was Ismaël Koné’s injury: the midfielder was stretchered off in the second half with what appeared to be a serious leg problem, his tournament potentially over after one of the finest Canadian nights in football.
Simultaneously, Switzerland finished their own strong Matchday 2 performance. A goalless first half against Bosnia-Herzegovina was followed by an explosion of goals: Johan Manzambi, a substitute, scored twice; Ruben Vargas added a third; and Granit Xhaka converted from the spot in injury time. All four Swiss goals came in the final 20 minutes after the hydration break, with Bosnia reduced to ten men following Muharemović’s red card. The 4-1 win put Switzerland level with Canada on four points, and sets up an intriguing group finale. Matchday 3 on June 24 delivered the group’s final verdict. Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to win the group: Rubén Vargas struck first from a well-worked set piece in the 46th minute, and Johan Manzambi doubled the lead with a composed finish in the 57th. Jonathan David pulled one back for Canada in the 76th minute, but Switzerland held on. Despite the defeat, Canada qualify as Group B runners-up: their 6-0 demolition of Qatar in Matchday 2 gave them a goal difference of +5, comfortably ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s −1 GD. In the other match, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1, Kerim Alajbegović with a 29th-minute opener, a Qatar own goal making it 2-0, Hasan Al-Haydos pulling one back on the stroke of half-time, before Ermin Mahmić sealed it in the 80th. Bosnia-Herzegovina finish 3rd with 4 points and a negative goal difference; their fate as a potential best third-placed qualifier depends on results in the other groups. Qatar are eliminated with 1 point. Final Group B standings: Switzerland 7 pts (1st, qualified), Canada 4 pts (2nd, qualified), Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 pts (3rd, awaiting best-thirds decision), Qatar 1 pt (4th, eliminated).