PrepWednesday, June 24

Group Stage Finale: Canada, Brazil, and Mexico Eye First Place as Scotland and Czechia Fight to Stay Alive

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Six matches across three groups tonight settle the final standings, with Canada-Switzerland deciding Group B's winner, Brazil facing Scotland in a Group C showdown that could open the door for Morocco, and Mexico needing just a draw to seal top spot in Group A.

The pool is riding heavy favourites in five of six matches—71 of you backing Morocco, 68 on Brazil, 56 on Bosnia—but the Canada-Switzerland clash has you split nearly down the middle (36 picked the Swiss, just 8 backed the Canucks), even as the co-hosts enter as narrow market favourites on home soil.

Group B: Canada Can Clinch, Switzerland Can Spoil

Canada and Switzerland sit level on four points and meet in the group's headline fixture, with the winner taking first place and the loser settling for second—both already through barring a mathematical disaster. Bosnia (one point) must beat Qatar and hope the other match doesn't end in a draw to have any chance of advancing, while Qatar (also one point) faces the same long odds. The pool sees this as Switzerland's night: 36 of you picked the Nati, 30 went for a draw, and only eight backed Canada. But the bookmakers give Canada a slight edge, with odds around 2.50 for a home win versus 2.75 for Switzerland and 3.30 for a draw, per multiple sportsbooks. Alphonso Davies remains Canada's engine—his pace terrorized defences in the opening two matches—while Switzerland will lean on Granit Xhaka's midfield control and the clinical finishing of Breel Embolo, who has two goals already. Meanwhile, 56 of you expect Bosnia to dispatch Qatar (just four picked the away win), and the market agrees: Bosnia are clear favourites at roughly 1.55, with Qatar out at 6.00. Bosnia need the points and a favour; Qatar are already eliminated in all but name, having conceded nine goals in two games.

Group C: Brazil's Coronation or Scotland's Miracle?

Brazil top Group C on four points and goal difference, level with Morocco but ahead thanks to a +3 versus +1 goal differential. Scotland sit third on three points, meaning a win over Brazil would see them through—and could even send them top if Morocco slip against Haiti. Haiti are already eliminated with zero points. The pool has spoken: 68 of you backed Brazil to beat Scotland, with only one brave soul picking the Tartan Army and five hedging on a draw. The bookies concur, installing the Samba boys as heavy favourites around 1.40, with Scotland at 8.00 and a draw near 4.50, according to leading markets. Vinícius Júnior has been electric for Brazil, scoring twice and tormenting full-backs with his dribbling, while Casemiro anchors a midfield that hasn't conceded in two matches. Scotland will need captain Andy Robertson to marshal a defence that has kept things tight so far—they've yet to lose—and hope striker Lyndon Dykes can conjure something against a Brazilian backline that has looked vulnerable to pace on the counter. In the other Group C fixture, Morocco face Haiti with 71 of you predicting a comfortable Atlas Lions victory (just one picked Haiti, two a draw). The market has Morocco at prohibitive odds around 1.20, Haiti at 13.00. Morocco need only avoid defeat to guarantee second place, but a win—especially a big one—could lift them to first if Brazil stumble.

Group A: Mexico Cruising, Korea and Czechia Scrapping

Mexico have already sewn up qualification with six points from six, leading Group A by three points over Korea Republic. A draw tonight against Czechia (one point) would secure first place; even a loss keeps them top unless Korea beat South Africa by a bigger margin than Mexico lose by. Korea (three points) are through with a win or a draw, while Czechia must win and hope Korea lose to have any chance of advancing. South Africa (one point) are effectively out—they'd need to beat Korea, have Czechia lose, and overturn a significant goal difference gap. The pool leans heavily toward the hosts: 42 of you picked Mexico to beat Czechia, 28 went for a draw, and only four backed the Czechs. The bookies make Mexico favourites at around 1.90, with a draw at 3.40 and Czechia at 4.00, reflecting Mexico's control but acknowledging they may rotate with top spot nearly secured. Hirving Lozano has been Mexico's brightest spark, scoring in both matches, while Czechia will hope Patrik Schick—who has one goal—can add to his tally and that their defensive discipline holds. In the other Group A match, 48 of you picked Korea to beat South Africa, with just 15 backing Bafana Bafana and 11 a draw. Korea are favourites at roughly 1.70, South Africa at 5.00. Son Heung-min will be the danger man for Korea, his movement and finishing the difference in a match they should control.

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