World Cup 2026 schedule for June 25: Deciding the teams advancing to the knockout stage

Group B will kick off its third round of matches earliest, with two fixtures: Switzerland vs. Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar. After two rounds, Canada and Switzerland are tied at 4 points each, sharing the top spot, while Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar each have 1 point. In this scenario, both Canada and Switzerland only need a draw to secure their places in the knockout stage together.

The match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar will be more tense, as only the winning team will have a chance to advance to the knockout stage. However, three points from this game may not be enough for either side. They will need to significantly improve their goal difference and also rely on results from other groups. With both teams forced to win to keep their hopes alive, the match at Seattle Stadium is expected to be an open and competitive affair.

The situation in Group C is predicted to be even more dramatic, as three teams are competing for advancement. Brazil and Morocco share the top spot with 4 points each (Morocco is second due to an inferior goal difference), while Scotland sits third with 3 points. Haiti has already been eliminated.

Scotland will face a tough battle against Brazil, while Morocco has a much easier task, taking on already-eliminated Haiti.

With 3 points in hand, Scotland is hoping to reach the knockout stage for the first time, having been eliminated in the group stage in all eight of their previous World Cup appearances. A draw against Brazil would be enough for Scotland to achieve their goal. However, their record against Brazil is poor, with six losses and two draws in their last eight encounters.

Meanwhile, in the other Group C match, Morocco and Haiti enter the final round with completely opposite objectives. While the African representative is very close to securing a knockout-stage berth, Haiti is fighting only for pride.

Morocco controls its own destiny. A draw against Haiti would be sufficient to advance. In contrast, for Haiti, returning to the World Cup this time, earning any points seems nearly impossible. Even scoring a consolation goal would be a major challenge.

In Group A, Mexico has already advanced as group leaders. Currently, South Korea is second with 3 points, while the Czech Republic and South Africa are tied at the bottom with 1 point each. In this round, South Korea faces South Africa, and Mexico hosts the Czech Republic. Regardless of the final round's outcome, co-host Mexico cannot be displaced from the top spot thanks to their head-to-head victory over South Korea.

The Czech Republic has no room for error, having only 1 point after two matches. They are on the brink of elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the group stage. Coach Miroslav Koubek's team must win their final match at Mexico City Stadium to continue their journey in this prestigious tournament.

In the other Group A match, South Africa has the lowest chance of advancing. The team's form is worrying, as they have not won in their last six international matches (three draws, three losses). South Africa's most recent victory was against Zimbabwe on December 29 in the Africa Cup of Nations.

For South Korea, after a narrow loss to co-host Mexico in the second round, they can no longer top Group A. However, if they defeat South Africa, second place in the group will belong to coach Hong Myung-bo's team.

South Korea is considered to have an advantage in securing an official spot to advance from Group A alongside Mexico. However, if they lose to South Africa, the East Asian team might see their journey end.

Since coach Guus Hiddink led the Taegeuk Warriors to the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup, the East Asian representative has failed to get past the round of 16 in the following five tournaments, highlighting the difficulties a major Asian (AFC) power faces on the global stage.

Schedule for June 25
Switzerland vs. Canada: 2:00 AM
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar: 2:00 AM

Morocco vs. Haiti: 5:00 AM
Scotland vs. Brazil: 5:00 AM

South Africa vs. South Korea: 8:00 AM
Czech Republic vs. Mexico: 8:00 AM