The second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage began overnight with four matches that started to clarify the qualification race. Mexico became the first team to secure a place in the next stage, while Canada and Switzerland took major steps toward advancing and Czech Republic and South Africa complicated their chances after drawing.
Mexico beat South Korea 1-0 in the headline match and completed a perfect start with two wins from two games. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal, giving the hosts the three points they needed to guarantee progression after only the second round. South Korea finished the match without points, but still has a good chance to qualify after winning its opening game.
Switzerland recovered from a disappointing draw with Qatar by thrashing Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1. Substitute Zohan Menzmby scored twice late to lead the Swiss to an important victory that lifted them to four points. Ruben Vargas and Granit Xhaka also scored, while Bosnia suffered its first loss of the tournament.
Canada produced the biggest scoreline so far in the World Cup, crushing Qatar 6-0. Jonathan David scored a historic hat trick, the first ever by a Canadian player at a World Cup, and Kyle Larin and Nathan Silva added the other goals. Qatar finished with nine players after two red cards and looked helpless in a second straight defeat. Earlier, Czech Republic and South Africa drew 1-1, with Michal Sadilek putting the Czechs ahead early before Thebuho Mokoena equalized from the penalty spot late. Both teams now need a win, and help from other results, to keep their hopes alive in the final round.
