Canada produced a spirited finish against Switzerland in Vancouver, but it was not enough to keep the co-hosts top of their World Cup group.
Ruben Vargas struck within a minute of the restart and Johan Manzambi made it two soon after, putting the Swiss in the driver’s seat at BC Place. For a worrying spell, Jesse Marsch’s side looked like they might let the night get away from them entirely.
Promise David offered a reply with a fine finish off the bench, but the goal came too late to change the result. Canada carried an attacking threat without ever being clinical in front of goal, and a 2-1 loss left them second in Group B — still through to the knockout rounds, but no longer on top.
Canada’s route to the World Cup final
Finishing second carries a real cost. Top spot in Group B would have kept Canada’s Round of 32 tie in Vancouver, in front of a home crowd at BC Place.
Instead, the runners-up drop into a different part of the bracket. Canada will travel to Los Angeles for their last-32 match on Sunday, June 28th, with the game set for SoFi Stadium.
Should Canada come through in Los Angeles, the route only gets tougher. Their Round of 16 tie would be at NRG Stadium in Houston TX on July 4th, with a quarter-final to follow at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough MA on July 9th.
A semi-final would then take them to AT&T Stadium in Arlington TX on July 14th, before the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19th.
Who Canada could face in the Round of 32
Their opponent will be the runner-up from Group A, and that spot is still up for grabs. Mexico have already won the group, leaving South Korea, Czechia and South Africa to settle second place in Wednesday’s final round of fixtures.
South Korea are favorites to claim it, but Czechia and South Africa both retain a route through depending on results. Canada will know their last-32 opponent once those games are done.
Whoever it is, Canada head into the knockout rounds with plenty to build on. Reaching the last 32 as co-hosts is a strong return, and the fight they showed late against Switzerland — capped by David’s goal — gives Marsch something to work with in Los Angeles.
