The Socceroos are hoping to take a major step towards the FIFA World Cup knockouts as the final round of group stage play begins.
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FULL 2026 WORLD CUP SCHEDULE WITH AUSTRALIAN TIMES AND DATES
EXPLAINED: Socceroos’ knockout scenarios and who they can face in round-of-32
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Switzerland vs Canada scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Morocco vs Haiti scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Scotland vs Brazil scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: Czechia vs Mexico scores, stats and more
WORLD CUP MATCH CENTRE: South Africa vs South Korea scores, stats and more
WHAT THE SOCCEROOS WANT ON THURSDAY
Australia will be looking to clinch a spot in the round-of-32 by earning at least a point against Paraguay on Friday (12pm AEST), but can still advance with a loss as one of the eight best third-placers.
Groups A, B and C are in action on Thursday and the Socceroos will be hoping all three of them provide a third-placer with a worse record than theirs – which, with a loss, would be 3 points and a negative goal difference (currently 0).
As it stands Australia has a 94.27% chance to advance, including an 80% chance even with a loss to Paraguay. (via Opta and as of 9.15am Thursday.)
In Group B (5am games), there were no favours. Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 while Switzerland beat Canada 2-1. It means Bosnia and Herzegovina is third in that group on four points (-1 GD).
In Group C (8am games), Scotland can advance with a point against Brazil, but a win by Brazil (and by as many goals as possible) would be ideal for Australia, boosting their chances by around 5%.
In Group A (11am games), Australia wants to see wins by group leaders Mexico (vs Czechia) and South Korea (vs South Africa) or draws.
Thursday June 25’s World Cup schedule
Match 51 – Group B – Switzerland vs Canada – 5am, BC Place, Vancouver
Match 52 – Group B – Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar – 5am, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 49 – Group C – Scotland vs Brazil – 8am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 50 – Group C – Morocco vs Haiti – 8am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 53 – Group A – Czechia vs Mexico – 11am, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Match 54 – Group A – South Africa vs South Korea – 11am, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
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SWITZERLAND CLAIM TOP SPOT
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi fired Switzerland to top spot in World Cup Group B on Thursday morning AEST with a 2-1 win over Canada as the co-hosts also ensured a historic spot in the knockout rounds.
With the top two teams in the pool meeting in Vancouver, both knew that a victory would ensure first place in the group and, in theory, a kinder draw in the knockout stages.
Vargas and Manzambi’s second-half strikes were enough to ensure the Swiss finished on seven points, while Promise David pulled a goal back in the final 15 mins for Canada but they finished up three points behind their opponent but reach the last 32 for the first time in their history.
Prior to the 2026 edition, the North Americans had never won a match at a finals but with their second-placed finish in the pool they will play the runner-up from Group A on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Switzerland will meet one of the best third-placed sides next week. Bosnia-Herzegovina wrapped up third in Group B thanks to a 3-1 win over Qatar and will face an anxious wait to see if their four points are enough to extend their stay at the World Cup.
Prior to kick-off, Canada midfielder Ismael Kone entered the pitch in a wheelchair after suffering a leg break in Canada’s 6-0 demolition of Qatar last week and was treated to a standing ovation by the spectators at BC Place Vancouver.
Breel Embolo was presented with a golden chance to open the scoring for the Swiss after 10 minutes but could only fire straight at the goalkeeper before Manzambi struck the rebound into the chest of a defender.
Canada’s first big opportunity to break the deadlock arrived just after the half-hour as striker Cyle Larin cut in on his right foot and tried to bend the ball beyond Gregor Kobel.
The Swiss stopper was called into action again shortly before half-time as he dropped down to his right to palm a tame Ali Ahmed effort wide of his near post.
After an entertaining first half, the match sparked into life seconds after the interval as Vargas gave Switzerland lift-off.
A simple ball down the line released Manzambi, whose cross from the right evaded everyone until the 27-year-old popped up in acres of space at the back post and took an excellent first touch before rifling past Maxime Crepeau.
Manzambi then put the cherry on a fine performance as he netted his third of the tournament on 57 minutes, profiting from some poor goalkeeping to squeeze in a right-footed shot after decent hold-up play on the edge of the box by Embolo.
Canada boss Jesse Marsch responded by making three substitutions, including sending on LAFC midfielder Stephen Eustaquio.
Jonathan David, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s last outing, turned sharply in the Swiss box and fired an effort at goal as the co-hosts tried to get a foot back in the match before the second hydration break, but Nico Elvedi flung himself in the ball’s path.
But moments after the three-minute break, Promise David, who had just entered the field, gave Canada hope as he stretched to turn in a sublime ball from Nathan Saliba.
The goal set up a grandstand finish with a leveller for Canada certain to send them through as group winners.
The Canadians came close from a couple of set-pieces at the match’s climax but Switzerland held on to claim top spot.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON VERGE OF WC HISTORY
Bosnia-Herzegovina are on the verge of reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time after beating 2022 hosts Qatar 3-1 in their final Group B match on Wednesday.
Bosnia move onto four points and are in a strong position to be one of the best eight third-placed teams to progress to the last 32.
Qatar meanwhile exit at the group stage, just as they did four years ago. Goals from Bosnia’s youngest ever World Cup player, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic, and an own goal by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada looked to have put the European side in the box seat.
However, Qatar made a game of it when 35-year-old Hassan al-Haydos, their most capped player, pulled one back late in the first-half.
Ermin Mahmic then put the game beyond the Qataris when he scored for the second successive match in the 80th minute.
Bosnia flew out of the blocks as soon as the whistle went, testing Abunada twice inside the first four minutes.
First Abunada denied Ermedin Demirovic’s fierce drive and then he tipped away Ivan Sunjic’s shot.
Bosnia’s dominance finally paid off but it was not to be 40-year-old talisman Edin Dzeko who broke the deadlock but the sublimely-talented teenage left wing.
Abunada was unable to do anything about Alajbegovic’s screamer from outside the area, after he had beaten two players.
The youngster was mobbed by his teammates and once they had trotted back to the halfway line he stood and milked the moment, putting a finger to his lips.
Dzeko, winning his 150th cap, came more and more into the game and not wishing to have his thunder stolen by the new kid on the block he played an integral role in their second five minutes later.
His shot took a wicked deflection off al-Brake and then Abunada on its way into the net.
Dzeko was well into his stride now and he broke clear a few minutes later, his shot beating Abunada but rebounding off the post.
Bosnia’s earlier sprightliness dipped in the heat and it was the doyen of Qatari football al-Haydos who repaid coach Julen Lopetegui’s faith in slotting home in the 42nd minute.
The Bosnian defence failed to learn from that and in time added on they had the far post to thank for keeping their noses in front as Pedro Miguel’s shot came back off it.
Al-Haydos’s World Cup, and perhaps his distinguished international career, ended in tears as he trudged disconsolately off the pitch injured in the 55th minute.
Chances were few and far between until Esmir stole in from the right wing and came close to emulating Alajbegovic’s effort but Abunada turned it away for a corner.
Bosnian frustration gave way to ecstasy when Mahmic prodded the ball home — the scorer ripping his shirt off in celebration and the 21-year-old paid little notice to being booked for it.