After two rounds of World Cup 2026 action, co-hosts Mexico and the United States have booked their spot in the Round of 32. Canada aren’t quite there yet, but you could practically say that they’re as good as through thanks to their margin of their 6-0 win over Qatar.
Mexico in Group A
Mexico began their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa and followed it up with a 1-0 victory over South Korea to become the first team to seal their spot in the knockout stages of the competition. Luis Romo scored the only goal of the game as El Tri, playing without the suspended Cesar Montes, ran out winners at the Azteca.
Because H2H is the first criteria to be applied in the tie-breakers, Mexico are not only through- they’re also through as group winners. The Czech Republic and South Africa cannot catch them on points, and while Korea can catch them on points, H2H ensures Mexico will top the group either way. That also means more knockout games at the Azteca for El Tri, where they will be a very formidable team to face for any opponent.
Canada in Group B
Canada created history by picking up their first ever World Cup win as they hammered Qatar 6-0 in Vancouver. Jonathan David scored an hat-trick and wrote himself into the history books. Qatar had two players sent off.
The result was however marred by an injury to one of their key players, and he will play no further part in the tournament.
The win has as good as secured Canada’s spot in the next round- draw against the Swiss, and they’ll be through as group winners. Only a very unlikely combination of results- for example Canada potentially getting thrashed by Switzerland and Bosnia beating Qatar by a HUGE margin could see Jesse Marsch’s men eliminated, but as things stand they’re all but through (either as one of the top two, or in an absolute worst case scenario, as one of the best third placed teams)
The United States in Group D
Mauricio Pochettino has got the USMNT purring, and they were too good for Australia in their second round game. An own goal from Socceroos player Burgess and a 43rd minute goal from Alex Freeman saw the USA prevail in Seattle.
Like with Mexico, the USA have sealed their spot as group winners owing to the H2h tiebreaker system. They have 6 points and have already beaten the other two teams that could potentially reach 6 (Paraguay and Australia). Turkey have already been eliminated.
There is a pretty good chance that the USA will face the winner of the Bosnia-Qatar game in the Round of 32, and that on paper, is not a difficult tie to reach the Round of 16.
