The second week and second matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by North America has kicked off after weeks one offered fans around the world a glimpse into the participating teams’ forms and fuelling early predictions over who has what it takes to bring the coveted title home.
The first seven days have seen all 48 nations who qualified for this expanded edition of the global tournament take to the pitch, producing a mix of expected, exciting, lacklustre and disappointing results – depending on which nation you support.
The eight teams making up Groups A and B took to the pitch late on Thursday and early into Friday morning as the fight to clinch vital points has begun.
In FIFA’s newly expanded format including 48 instead of the usual 32 teams, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will earn a ticket to the knockout rounds, in addition to eight of the best third place finishers – reviewed by points – from all the groups.
Here is an overview of all the action Day 8 of the tournament had to offer:
Czechia v South Africa
Both teams were seeking their first points in the World Cup after suffering losses in their opening fixtures last week and ranking third and fourth in Group A.
Czechia looked determined to fight its way into the knockout stages, after midfielder Michal Sadilek opened the scoring really early into the match, converting a chance from inside the box with a beautifully placed bottom right corner finish to beat South African keeper Ronwen Williams.
The Czech team then shifted tactically into a low block for the majority of the match in an effort to protect their marginal lead over South Africa, playing only in their first World Cup since hosting the tournament back in 2010, while also looking to capitalise on any openings with counter-attacking play.
The match seemed to be heading their way and going according to plan, but an attempt by South Africa’s Thapelo Maseko to curl a top corner shot into the far left from outside the box, was blocked by Czechia’s Pavel Sulc, who to his team’s disappointment, gave away a penalty in the dying minutes of the game after the referee pointed to the spot and called a handball.
Tebeho Mokoena, cool, calm and collected as ever ran up to the ball and placed it into the bottom left corner, beating keeper Matej Kovar who jumped in the opposite direction, equalising for his team in the 83rd minute and earning his side their first point.
Switzerland v Bosnia
Bosnia, who earned their qualification ticket by upsetting European heavyweights Italy opened Group B’s second matchday fixtures, where they took on Switzerland. Both teams had been winless at that stage and looking to secure their first three points at the tournament, after drawing their opening matches.
Switzerland had chances early on to take the lead but failed to capitalise. Swiss forward Dan Ndoye executed a spectacular overhead kick early in the first half which almost found its way to the back of the net and would’ve been a sure contender for goal of the tournament.
The match however remained goalless for well over an hour and seemed to be headed towards a draw. Many fans were pictured in the stadiums leaving their seats early, expecting the final 20 minutes of regular time to be much like the previous 70, but in a dramatic and unanticipated way, it was anything but.
Switzerland was able to open the scoring in the 74th minute. A cross into the box was not cleared well by Bosnia, with the ball falling just outside the 6-yard box, gifted on a platter to striker Johan Manzambi who took it on the volley and placed it in the top right corner.
It was 10 minutes later, roughly five minutes after Bosnia suffered a red card and went a man down, that play really opened for Switzerland who were able to pounce on the newly open spaces, and a quick attack left Ruben Vargas unmarked in the box, who was fed the ball for an easy tap-in.
Six minutes later, Swiss fans were treated to another almost identical goal, where the flanks were utilised to create gaps in the centre. A quick ball fed to Manzambi in the 90th resulted in a third goal for the red shirts, who found themselves 3-0 in a matter of 16 minutes.
Bosnia showed heart however and were able to pull a goal back, after Ermin Mahmic scored a screamer off a cleared corner kick. A poor corner was headed out of harm’s way by Swiss defences, landing to unmarked Mahmic on the edge of the box who fired an unstoppable volley into the top right corner to make it 3-1.
It was veteran Swiss player, who formerly starred for top club sides Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, who scored a penalty in the 7th minute of added time to push his nation towards their first win of the tournament, sitting on par with Canada at four points a peace.
Canada v Qatar
Canada produced the tournament’s second goal-studded display, after Germany pummelled first-timers Curacao 7-1 last week, securing their first win of the World Cup they co-host with the United States and Mexico.
Scoring opened early for Canada who managed to gain the lead in the 16th minute after Qatari keeper Mahmud Abunada failed to hold on to the ball after an initial shot on goal, giving the ball back to Cyle Larin who tapped it in.
Just over 10 minutes later, Canada’s forward Jonathan David grabbed his first goal of the fixture, who scored a stunning bottom right corner volley in the 29th minute just inside the box.
A Qatari team in shambles was set to further spiral after defender Homam Ahmed was given a red card in the 33rd minute, leaving his team two goals trailing and a man down. Canada was ruthless with their opportunities and David managed to bag one more goal in the 3rd minute of the first half’s stoppage time, to enter the halftime break with a healthy 3-0 advantage and an almost guaranteed three points.
The reigning Asian champions, playing in only their second World Cup since hosting the last edition in 2022, were in for more sorrow after midfielder Assim Madibo was also shown a red card in the 53rd minute, leaving the team at a serious disadvantage and a mountain to climb.
Canada was once more quick to utilise the open spaces and opened the second half scoring with a stunning free kick goal in the 64th curled around the defensive wall and into the bottom right corner, just minutes after being substituted into the game, and drawing an applause from Prime Minister Mark Carney who was watching the game from the stands.
Just 10 minutes later the crimson shirts conceded once more after Qatar’s Mohammed Manai in an attempt to clear the ball off the goal line, shanked it into his own net, giving Canada a ruthless 5-0 lead.
The maple leaves were not finished yet as New York-born striker Jonathan David sought to complete his first World Cup hat trick, and was able to successfully execute, with clever movement inside the box making space for himself to receive and beating the keeper with ease in the 92nd minute.
The win propelled Canada to the top of Group B, ahead of Switzerland, leading their European competition on goal difference, who they face next week in matchday three for a top of the table clash.
Mexico v South Korea
Co-hosts Mexico became the first nation to book their ticket to the World Cup knockout stage after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their second match and leading Group A with six points.
The team that opened the tournament last week with a 2-0 over South Africa was able to marginally edge its way past South Korea led by Tottenham Hotspurs legend Son Heung-min, after Luis Romo scored the fixture’s only goal in the 50th minute on home soil at Estadio Guadalajara.
They now prepare to face Czechia next week for their group stage match and have the advantage of being able to rest key players ahead of the knockout stages, while the rest of the group competes fiercely for points to book their qualifying tickets.
