Where we're at – FIFA World Cup edition
The fates have been decided for the ones-to-watch in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Andrés Cubas with Paraguay, Sebastian Berhalter with the United States, and our home nation of Canada have all advanced to the Round of 16. For Canada, this is history in the making having never progressed past the Group Stage and is now set to take on Morocco this Saturday.
Canada marches on
On June 28, 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 now take on Morocco in Houston, Texas on Saturday, July 4 with kickoff set for 10 a.m. PT.
Cubas and Paraguay eliminate Germany
On June 29, 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 that Paraguay has advanced with 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 against Germany, Cubas made six tackles, two blocks, three intereptions, and won seven duels.
Across the tournament, Cubas leads all midfielders in defensive contributions with 41, including 16 tackles, eight interceptions, seven blocked shots, and 10 clearances. In addition, he is third overall in defensive pressure applied (179 instances; the total number of pressing actions applied by a player or team in an attempt to challenge for the ball ball carrier and disrupt the opponents possession) and ranks second for defensive pressures directly applied (47 instances; defensive pressures that occur directly against the opponent in possession of the ball, aiming to provoke errors or turnovers by physically challenging for the ball).
Cubas and Paraguay will now take on France in the Round of 16 on July 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 2 p.m. PT.
Berhalter and U.S. are moving on
The final host nation has moved onto the Round of 16 as Berhalter and the United States defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 on Wednesday night. The U.S. got off to a quick start from Folarin Balogun who found the back of the net but was called offside. Not to be detered, Balogun eventually opened the scoring for the Stripes and Stars in first half injury time.
Bosnia and Herzegovina battled all second half and had the advantage as Balogun was given a controversial red card in the 64th minute. However, Stjepan Radeljic gave the U.S. a dangerous free kick just outside the box and they took advantage with Malik Tillman doubling the lead and solidifying a place into the Round of 16.
Berhalter was used as a late substitue for his fourth appearance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He previously made his first start against Türkiye on June 25 where he recorded both a goal and an assist in that match becoming the first active MLS player to record one goal and one assist in the same World Cup match.
The United States will now have a chance for redemption as they take on Belgium in a rematch of the 2014 Round of 16. The match is set for Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. PT in Seattle, Washington.
All 2026 FIFA World Cup matches can be watched on TSN, RDS and Crave.
