Where we're at – FIFA World Cup edition
The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially came to a close on Saturday, June 27, with Canada making history by earning its first-ever berth into the knockout rounds of the tournament. Additionally, Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Andrés Cubas both advanced with their nations of the United States and Paraguay, respectively, into the Round of 32.
Canada marches on
On Sunday afternoon, Canada played in the opening Round of 32 match against South Africa in Los Angeles, California, becoming the first host nation to play an "away" match during the tournament. Three former Whitecaps FC players in goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, as well as defenders Derek Cornelius and Richie Laryea, all started the match, while former Whitecaps FC BMO MLS Academy midfielder Niko Sigur came on as a substitute. Former Whitecaps FC prodigy Alphonso Davies made his 2026 FIFA World Cup debut after recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained in May, entering in the 75th minute and changing the pace of the match.
For the opening 75 minutes, both teams stuck to their game plans, with neither side able to break the deadlock. Davies' introduction injected fresh energy into Canada's attack, as the Reds registered three shots on target within five minutes of his arrival and began creating their most dangerous chances of the match.
With the match still scoreless deep into stoppage time, Canada finally found its breakthrough. Stephen Eustáquio became the nation's hero in the second minute of added time, burying an expertly placed strike into the bottom-left corner to send Canada into the Round of 16.
As the final whistle sounded, Canada took another historic step on football's biggest stage. Crépeau, now with Orlando City SC, recorded his second clean sheet of the tournament, becoming the first active MLS goalkeeper to post multiple clean sheets in a single World Cup.
Canada will learn its Round of 16 opponent later today, with either the Netherlands or Morocco awaiting on July 4 in Houston, Texas. The two nations meet in their Round of 32 match in Monterrey, Mexico at 6 p.m. PT.
Cubas and Paraguay eliminate Germany
This afternoon Paraguay battled with all their grit to eliminate Germany in a shootout. The 1-1 stalemate lasted until just before the break in extra time as Germany's Jonathan Tah headed the ball into the back of the net. However, after a VAR inspection, the goal was overturned for a foul on Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The match would go to kicks from the penalty mark with both goalkeepers standing on their heads and making save after save. It came down to the sixth kick after both Paraguay and Germany missed two apiece. Tah lined up and was stopped by Gill before Paraguay's Jose Canale nailed the shot and found the top right corner for the game-winner.
This marks only the second time in the nation's history of a knockout round victory, also previously advancing to the Quarterfinals in 2010 in a shootout against Japan. Cubas played the entire match for Paraguay making him the second MLS player to play at leaast 360 minutes in a single World Cup from a South American country, joining Júlio César for Brazil in 2014. Defensively, Cubas made six tackles, two blocks, three intereptions, and won seven duels.
Cubas and Paraguay will now look to take on the victor of France versus Sweden in the Round of 16 on July 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 2 p.m. PT. The Round of 32 match between France and Sweden is set for tomorrow, June 30 at 2 p.m. PT at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Berhalter's breakout continues
Berhalter continues to make his mark on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 25-year-old has featured in all three of the United States' group stage matches, including earning his first World Cup start against Türkiye on June 25. The 2026 MLS All-Star became the first active MLS player to record both a goal and an assist in the same World Cup match, further cementing his breakout tournament.
The United States finished atop Group D with a 2-1-0 record and now faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, which finished third in Group A (1-1-1) and advanced as the fifth-ranked third-place team. The Round of 32 match is set for Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1, at 5 p.m. PT in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
All 2026 FIFA World Cup matches can be watched on TSN, RDS and Crave.