Switzerland defeated host Canada 2-1 on the final matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage, taking first place in Group B and denying Canada the top spot and a home game in the first knockout round. The Canadians had come in after a 6-0 win over Qatar and needed only a draw to secure the group lead and a place in the round of 32 in Vancouver.
After a scoreless first half, Switzerland struck 42 seconds into the second. Youth player Johan Manzambi, making his first start after scoring twice off the bench against Bosnia, set up Ruben Vargas, who fired in off the post. Eleven minutes later, the 20-year-old Manzambi scored himself, finishing after a fine pass from Breel Embolo and a mistake by Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau.
Canada responded only after falling two goals behind. David Promise came off the bench to score in the 76th minute, and the hosts pressed hard for an equalizer in the closing stages, but goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and the Swiss defense held on.
Switzerland, coached by Murat Yakin, had already shown promise in the tournament and followed a 4-1 win over Bosnia with this result. On July 2, Switzerland will face one of the third-place finishers in Vancouver, while Canada will travel to California to meet the second-place team from Group A, which will be decided later that night.
