Daily FIFA World Cup match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
History was made in Vancouver on Thursday afternoon (June 18), with another huge match coming next Wednesday.
Canada was relentless and dominant at BC Place Stadium in a 6-0 win over Qatar in Group B action, giving the Maple Leaf nation its first-ever World Cup victory in the men’s soccer tournament.
Jonathan David scored three times for Canada, which became the first squad outside Europe and South America to score six goals in a World Cup match.
Qatar drew two red cards, while Canada lost key midfielder Ismaël Koné to an apparent broken leg in the second half after a hard tackle by Assim Madibo, sent off in the 51st minute.
Thursday’s massive win puts Canada at the top of Group B with four points, tied with Switzerland but boasting a better goal differential by three.
The bottom line: A tie or win next Wednesday at BC Place Stadium (June 24) would give Canada top spot in Group B heading into the World Cup playoff round of 32.
Frame it.
pic.twitter.com/P3obcKMJ61
— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 19, 2026
Absolutely packed at Surrey Soccer Fan Zone for Canada vs Qatar. Just said hi to Mayor Brenda Locke, wearing a “Birthday Girl” button. “They gotta win on my birthday” she said. @SurreyNowLeader pic.twitter.com/3Y6VIqFpNh
— Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 18, 2026
PHOTOS, VIDEO: Canada fans fill Vancouver for historic win over Qatar.
Elsewhere Thursday, Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 in Los Angeles, giving Canada motivation to win and score a lot of goals vs. Qatar later, in the day’s 3 p.m. game.
Mexico scored a 1-0 win over Korea in Guadalajara to win Group A.
In Atlanta, Czechia tied South Africa 1-1.
Today’s four matches (Friday) see the U.S. play Australia in Seattle (noon start Pacific time), Scotland vs. Morocco in Boston (3 p.m.), Brazil vs. Haiti in Philadelphia (5:30 p.m.) and Turkiya vs. Paraguay in San Francisco (8 p.m.).
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READ MORE:
World Cup numbers: 39-day FIFA soccer tournament started June 11 in Mexico.
2026 FIFA World Cup: An in-depth look at Canada’s midfielders and forwards.
2026 FIFA World Cup: An in-depth look into Canada’s goalkeepers and defence.
TROZZO: What a doctor on Canada’s bench in ’86 bench taught me about the World Cup.
PHOTOS: B.C.’s Science World fully transforms into FIFA World Cup match ball.
Vancouver’s 1st World Cup match led to TransLink’s busiest Saturday since Olympics.