Co-hosts Canada qualified for the men’s World Cup knock-out stages for the first time but lost out on top spot and a Vancouver last-32 game to Switzerland after a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday.
Second-half goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi meant the Swiss finished top of Group B on seven points and the Canadians ended up in second spot on four, above Bosnia and Herzegovina on goal difference, despite Promise David‘s goal.
Qatar finished bottom and are eliminated in the group stage for the second straight tournament after a 3-1 loss to the Bosnians, who sit third and have high hopes of reaching the next round with four points.
The best eight out of the 12 third-placed teams go through to the first knock-out round in the expanded 48-nation tournament. The third-placed rankings will only be confirmed at the end of the group stage.
Kerim Alajbegović scored on 29 minutes and Mahmoud Abunada soon netted an own goal in Seattle to seal the fate of 2022 hosts Qatar, who pulled one back before half-time through captain Hassan Alhaydos. Ermin Mahmić made it safe for the Balkan side 10 minutes from time.
In Bosnia’s previous World Cup as an independent nation, they went out in the 2014 group stage but have a big chance of going one better depending on other groups’ results.
Switzerland will stay in Vancouver against a third-placed team from Group E, F, G, I or J on July 2. Canada go to Inglewood in Los Angeles County to play the second side in Group A on Sunday.
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