The action-packed day of Wednesday, June 24, saw Groups A, B, and C conclude in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with six teams securing their spots in the round of 16. The highlight of the day was South Africa's unexpected triumph over South Korea, which marked one of the most surprising results of the tournament.
Mexico delivered a stellar performance, clinching a 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic at the Estadio Azteca. This win cemented their status as the only team to achieve a perfect score of nine points out of nine possible in the tournament.
Under the leadership of Javier Aguirre, Mexico dominated Group A from start to finish, advancing as the absolute leader without conceding a single goal in their three matches.
The most emotional moment of the evening occurred when 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa entered the game in the second half, marking his participation in a record sixth World Cup, a feat matched by only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In Monterrey, South Africa delivered a stunning performance by defeating South Korea 1-0, thanks to a goal by Thapelo Maseko in the 63rd minute. This victory allowed them to advance past the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history, having fallen short in 1998, 2002, and 2010 when they hosted the tournament.
The Bafana Bafana secured second place in Group A with four points and are now set to face Canada in Dallas for their debut in the knockout stage.
In Group C, Brazil showcased their prowess with a resounding 3-0 victory over Scotland at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Vinícius Júnior scored twice, and Cunha added another goal, ensuring Brazil finished the group stage unbeaten with seven points as the leader.
Under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, the first foreign coach to lead Brazil in a World Cup, the team also welcomed back Neymar, who played his first minutes of the tournament in the 76th minute after recovering from an injury.
Morocco also advanced from Group C by defeating Haiti 4-2 in a thrilling match, with Achraf Hakimi emerging as the standout player for the Atlas Lions.
In Group B, Switzerland secured a 2-1 win over Canada in Vancouver, with goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi, finishing as group leaders. Meanwhile, Canada advanced as the runner-up and became one of the three host nations to progress beyond the first phase.
Rounding out the day's action, Bosnia and Herzegovina triumphed 3-1 over Qatar, with goals from Kerim Alajbegovic, an own goal by Sultan Al-Brake, and Ermin Mahmic. They now await the outcome to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Qatar, on the other hand, faced elimination in the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup.
With three groups completed, the 2026 World Cup is now entering its crucial phase, with the first confirmed knockout match featuring South Africa against Canada in Dallas.
Key Highlights from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage
Which team achieved a perfect score in the group stage?
Mexico achieved a perfect score by winning all its matches, securing nine points out of nine possible in the group stage.
What was the most surprising result of the day?
The most surprising result was South Africa's victory over South Korea, which allowed them to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in their World Cup history.
Who is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil in a World Cup?
Carlo Ancelotti is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil in a World Cup, guiding them to a successful group stage.