World Cup 2026 Results — Group Stage Ends, Canada Make History

Every World Cup has a hinge, a moment when the sprawling group stage folds shut and the tournament narrows to a straight fight for survival. That hinge arrived this weekend. On Saturday 27 June the last three groups settled their accounts and the bracket of 32 was finally complete; twenty-four hours later, on Sunday 28 June, the knockouts opened with a moment that will be replayed in one country for a generation. For the Irish neutral who has adopted a side or two from the wreckage of our own qualifying campaign, there was plenty to digest — an old friend marching on, a brave outsider falling just short, and a debutant nation writing a brand-new page of history. Here is everything that mattered as the World Cup turned from marathon to sprint.

Canada 1–0 South Africa: A Nation’s First

It had to come down to the very last kick. For 90 minutes at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Canada and South Africa probed and fretted without reward, until Stephen Eustáquio swept home in the second minute of stoppage time to settle it 1–0 and send Canada into the round of 16 — their first knockout win in World Cup history. There was a lovely subplot, too: captain Alphonso Davies, nursed back from a hamstring problem, made his first appearance of the tournament off the bench, returning just in time to be part of the story. Jesse Marsch, the Canada head coach, did not undersell the moment afterwards. "You guys are Canadian heroes today," he told his players. "Canadian heroes for the future children of this country who play this sport. This sport has a big future because of you guys." South Africa, agonisingly, go home; Canada march on to face the winner of Netherlands–Morocco in Houston on 4 July.

Group L: England Win It, Croatia Survive

Saturday’s other headline act, from an Irish-interest point of view, was England. Thomas Tuchel’s side finished the job in style, beating Panama 2–0 through a Jude Bellingham strike on 62 minutes and a Harry Kane finish five minutes later to win Group L on seven points. Croatia made sure of second place the hard way, edging Ghana 2–1 with goals from Petar Sučić and Nikola Vlašić, and Ghana — beaten but not eliminated — squeezed through as one of the best third-placed sides. For the neutral on this island, England remain the last of the “near-home” sides standing, and they now look a serious proposition. Our England at the World Cup 2026 profile has the squad picture, and the Group L preview sets out how the section played out.

Group J: Argentina Go Perfect, Messi Strikes Again

Argentina did not so much qualify as state a case. The reigning champions made it three wins from three in Group J, beating Jordan 3–1 with goals from Giovani Lo Celso, a Lautaro Martínez penalty and — inevitably — Lionel Messi on 80 minutes, his sixth of the tournament. Behind them the group’s other game was bedlam: Algeria and Austria traded blows in a 3–3 thriller, Riyad Mahrez scoring twice including a stoppage-time leveller, with Austria sneaking second on goal difference and Algeria advancing as a best third. A perfect nine points has hardened Argentina into the market’s clear second-favourites, a point we return to below. Our Argentina at the World Cup 2026 page tracks Scaloni’s side.

Group K and the Bigger Picture

In Group K, Colombia topped the section after a goalless draw with Portugal that suited both — Colombia first on seven points, Portugal safely second — while DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3–1, Yoane Wissa scoring twice, to grab the last of the best-third places. With that, the field of 32 was set. The eight best third-placed qualifiers were confirmed as DR Congo, Sweden, Ecuador, Ghana, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Algeria, Paraguay and Senegal; the cruel side of the ledger fell on Iran, South Korea and — to a chorus of Irish sighs — Scotland and Uruguay, all eliminated on the bubble. Our Groups and Draw hub carries the complete bracket as it now stands.

The Irish Angle: Scotland Out, England Carry the Flag

Let us be honest about the bit that stung. Scotland’s adventure is over. Steve Clarke’s side finished third in Group C and, when the third-place arithmetic was finally totted up, fell just short — three points and a goal difference of minus three not quite enough to creep into the last 32. For the many on this island who had quietly attached themselves to the Tartan Army’s cause, it is a familiar ache. The consolation is that England remain, and remain in good order, giving the Irish neutral a reason to keep the late nights going. If your first adopted side has fallen, our Irish neutrals’ guide will help you pick another to see you through the knockouts.

What It Means for Irish Viewers

The practical news is the good news: every match of this World Cup is live and free-to-air in Ireland across RTÉ and Virgin Media, with all 104 games shared between the two and streamed on RTÉ Player and Virgin Media Player at no extra cost. No subscription, no paywall — just a late-night studio talking you through the drama. The catch remains the clock. With the action staged across North American time zones, the headline kick-offs land well into the Irish evening and beyond; Canada’s late winner, for instance, came deep into Sunday night IST. Our how to watch the World Cup in Ireland guide has the channel detail for planning the knockouts around your sleep.

The Betting Verdict

The group stage’s close reshaped the title market more than any single result. France firmed as the lone clear favourite at around 17/5 (4.40), with Argentina’s perfect run hardening them sharply into a clear second at about 4/1 (5.10); Spain and England sit level at 13/2 (7.50), and a curiously unconvincing Brazil have drifted out to 13/1 (14.0) on the FanDuel board carried by FOX Sports, dated 28 June 2026. Treat those as a range rather than gospel — the same board has shifted twice in a week. My recommendation for the patient punter is to watch the first wave of knockout ties before committing to an outright; a single upset in the next 48 hours could move several of these prices again. If you do fancy a flutter, the Irish-licensed brands such as Boomerang Bet.com and BetiBet are pricing the French as short as anyone, in euro and the fractional odds we grew up reading.

Whatever you back, back it with your head — our responsible betting guide is always worth a read first.