Canada Make History, Germany Discord Grows, and Salah's Fitness Clouds Egypt's Cup

The 2026 World Cup's group stage drew to a close on Sunday with a series of results that will shape the knockout rounds — and one injury that threatens to define them. Mohamed Salah suffered a hamstring problem that has placed his availability for Egypt's last-32 tie against Australia on Friday in serious doubt. Losing their captain and most dangerous player at this precise moment is Egypt's worst possible preparation for a knockout match.

The day's most uplifting story belonged to Canada. Stephen Eustaquio's goal in the second minute of injury time sent the co-hosts into the last 16 for the first time in their history, with Alphonso Davies — returning from injury — central to their threat. DR Congo also made history, coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan and qualify for the knockouts for the first time, setting up a last-32 meeting with England. Algeria's progression, meanwhile, sparked scenes of celebration among their diaspora communities as far away as Sydney.

Germany's day was more troubled. A 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, in itself inconsequential to their qualification, opened a public rift between manager Julian Nagelsmann and senior players including Joshua Kimmich — a visible sign of discord that will follow them into the knockout rounds. The 2026 World Cup also passed a landmark, breaking the men's tournament all-time attendance record before the knockout stage had even begun.