World Cup Daily: Matches and storylines for June 24
Three groups conclude today, with questions about Canada, Brazil, Morocco, and the United States' possible Round of 32 opponent still in the air.
Today, we reach a turning point in the 2026 World Cup. Group stages will conclude for three of the 12 groups today, as we shift into six matches a day for the next four days, though they'll necessitate a two-screen solution as each group's two-match closers will be played simultaneously.
A few questions will get answered in the 2 pm Group B matches. Will Canada win the group and get the chance to play in Canada through the Round of 16? Will Bosnia and Herzegovina finally rid us of Qatar and emerge as the U.S.'s opponent in the Round of 32? (And yes, there's still a chance for Qatar — despite a 6-0 loss with just one pass into Canada's box in that blowout — to advance.)
Mexico's won its group but should get a good warm-up for the knockout rounds playing Czechia, while Morocco plays Haiti and Brazil plays Scotland to decide a very much still up in the air Group C.
It's going to be an eventful day. Hydrate!
Group A
Predictions
Projected winner: Mexico (12)
Projected runner-up: South Korea (24)
Projected 3rd-place team: Czechia (43)
Projected 4th-place team: South Africa (61)
Past matches
Mexico 2, South Africa 0 (June 11, Mexico City)
South Korea 2, Czechia 1 (June 11, Guadalajara)
Czechia 1, South Africa 1 (June 18, Atlanta)
Mexico 1, South Korea 0: (June 18, Guadalajara)
Today's matches
Czechia vs. Mexico: Wednesday, June 24, 8 pm (Mexico City)
South Africa vs. South Korea: Wednesday, June 24, 8 pm(Guadalajara)
Most compelling narrative
There's still a chance Czechia could surpass South Korea for second in the group, but it'll require Czechia to beat Mexico, for starters. How much firepower will Czechia bring?
Player to watch
Mexico's defense hasn't allowed a goal yet all tournament; how will Edson Álvarez, Johan Vásquez, and a back-from-suspension César Montes fare against Czechia? Can they keep the shutout streak alive?
Group B
Predictions
Projected winner: Canada (29)
Projected runner-up: Switzerland (17)
Projected 3rd-place team: Bosnia & Herzegovina (65)
Projected 4th-place team: Qatar (56)
Past matches
Canada 1, Bosnia & Herzegovina 1 (June 12, Toronto)
Switzerland 1, Qatar 1 (June 12, Santa Clara, Calif.)
Switzerland 4, Bosnia & Herzegovina 1 (June 18, Inglewood, Calif.)
Canada 6, Qatar 0 (June 18, Vancouver)
Today's matches
Switzerland vs. Canada: Wednesday, June 24, 2 pm(Vancouver)
Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Wednesday, June 24, 2 pm(Seattle)
Most compelling narrative
A draw or a win seals the group for Canada, which makes the difference between playing in Vancouver on July 2 or playing in L.A. on June 28. After a dominating performance against Qatar, but losing Ismaël Koné to a broken leg, are they up to the task to beat a higher-ranked opponent?
Player to watch
Nathan Saliba will likely get the nod to replace Koné, but will we see Alphonso Davies? Perhaps there's an opportunity for Jayden Nelson to get some minutes ...
Group C
Predictions
Projected winner: Brazil (5)
Projected runner-up: Morocco (6)
Projected 3rd-place team: Scotland (40)
Projected 4th-place team: Haiti (87)
Past matches
Brazil 1, Morocco 1 (June 13, East Rutherford, N.J.)
Scotland vs. Brazil: Wednesday, June 25, 5 pm (Miami)
Morocco vs. Haiti: Wednesday, June 25, 5 pm (Atlanta)
Most compelling narrative
Brazil and Morocco are two of the top six teams in the world per the rankings, and one of them is getting drawn into a runner-up position to play Netherlands (most likely) ... this will likely be a goal differential duel, with Morocco looking to run up the score against Haiti.
Player to watch
Given that need for goal differential, how unleashed will Morocco's Ismael Saibari be? He's scored a goal in each of his team's two prior matches.
Where to watch
We'd be remiss to not highlight the Los Verdes watch party for Mexico vs. Czechia at Hopsquad, with Panini sticker trading starting at 6:30 pm now at Bon Aire (9070 Research Boulevard, near Pluckers and Soccer Post in that strip mall at 183 and Burnet that you know).
What to read
Michael Caley is doing work on World Cup projections. (H/T to Trevor Allison for pointing to this one.)
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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Brad Stuver was a surprising opening day starter in 2021, en route to becoming a six-year fixture in goal. For the last five years, he's been measurably one of MLS' best.
The 17-year-old Finnish youth international midfielder has officially signed with Verde through the 2030-31 season. What does it mean for a team that's most definitely rebuilding?
Austin FC let in four goals, making it the worst of Damian Las' six starting outings this season. However, Micah Burton and Ervin Torres connected on a goal that portends good things for the future.
Today, we reach a turning point in the 2026 World Cup. Group stages will conclude for three of the 12 groups today, as we shift into six matches a day for the next four days, though they'll necessitate a two-screen solution as each group's two-match closers will be played simultaneously.
A few questions will get answered in the 2 pm Group B matches. Will Canada win the group and get the chance to play in Canada through the Round of 16? Will Bosnia and Herzegovina finally rid us of Qatar and emerge as the U.S.'s opponent in the Round of 32? (And yes, there's still a chance for Qatar — despite a 6-0 loss with just one pass into Canada's box in that blowout — to advance.)
Mexico's won its group but should get a good warm-up for the knockout rounds playing Czechia, while Morocco plays Haiti and Brazil plays Scotland to decide a very much still up in the air Group C.
It's going to be an eventful day. Hydrate!
Group A
Predictions
Past matches
Today's matches
Most compelling narrative
There's still a chance Czechia could surpass South Korea for second in the group, but it'll require Czechia to beat Mexico, for starters. How much firepower will Czechia bring?
Player to watch
Mexico's defense hasn't allowed a goal yet all tournament; how will Edson Álvarez, Johan Vásquez, and a back-from-suspension César Montes fare against Czechia? Can they keep the shutout streak alive?
Group B
Predictions
Past matches
Today's matches
Most compelling narrative
A draw or a win seals the group for Canada, which makes the difference between playing in Vancouver on July 2 or playing in L.A. on June 28. After a dominating performance against Qatar, but losing Ismaël Koné to a broken leg, are they up to the task to beat a higher-ranked opponent?
Player to watch
Nathan Saliba will likely get the nod to replace Koné, but will we see Alphonso Davies? Perhaps there's an opportunity for Jayden Nelson to get some minutes ...
Group C
Predictions
Past matches
Today's matches
Most compelling narrative
Brazil and Morocco are two of the top six teams in the world per the rankings, and one of them is getting drawn into a runner-up position to play Netherlands (most likely) ... this will likely be a goal differential duel, with Morocco looking to run up the score against Haiti.
Player to watch
Given that need for goal differential, how unleashed will Morocco's Ismael Saibari be? He's scored a goal in each of his team's two prior matches.
Where to watch
We'd be remiss to not highlight the Los Verdes watch party for Mexico vs. Czechia
atHopsquad, with Panini sticker trading starting at 6:30 pmnow at Bon Aire (9070 Research Boulevard, near Pluckers and Soccer Post in that strip mall at 183 and Burnet that you know).What to read
Michael Caley is doing work on World Cup projections. (H/T to Trevor Allison for pointing to this one.)
Verde All Day is a reader-supported online publication covering Austin FC. Additional support is provided by Austin Telco Federal Credit Union. For more coverage, check out Emergency Podcast! (an Austin FC Podcast) wherever you get your podcasts.
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