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Bosnia and Herzegovina kept their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Qatar in Seattle, finishing third in Group B and staying in contention for a place in the round of 32 as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.
The result was enough to keep Bosnia and Herzegovina in the race, but not enough to confirm qualification immediately.
Under the expanded World Cup format, the best third-placed teams across the groups can still move on to the knockout stage, meaning Bosnia and Herzegovina must now wait for other group results.
Bosnia and Herzegovina broke through in the 29th minute when 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic picked up the ball outside the penalty area and fired a powerful shot into the top-right corner.
Their lead was doubled five minutes later after a move from the left side. Edin Dzeko tried to turn the ball back across the goal, but it deflected off Qatar defender Al Brake and went in for an own goal.
Qatar pulled one back in the 42nd minute when Miguel sent the ball into the area from the right, Junior moved it across the six-yard box, and Al Haydos finished ahead of the Bosnia and Herzegovina defense.
Qatar nearly leveled shortly before halftime, but Miguel's shot from the right side of the box came back off the post.
Bosnia and Herzegovina restored their two-goal lead in the 80th minute after Demirovic's ball from the left confused the Qatar penalty area. The defense failed to clear, and Mahmic finished from close range to make it 3-1.
The win left Bosnia and Herzegovina on four points, third in Group B on goal difference. They will now wait to see whether that total is enough to send them into the round of 32.
Qatar, who earned its first-ever World Cup point during the tournament, finished bottom of the group and was eliminated.
Alajbegovic also made history with his opening goal. Since detailed World Cup data began in 1966, he became the youngest player to score from outside the penalty area in a World Cup match.
The previous record had belonged to France forward Kylian Mbappe, who was 19 years and 207 days old when he set the mark.
Switzerland finished first in Group B with seven points after two wins and one draw, securing direct progress to the round of 32.
Canada also advanced after finishing second with four points, reaching the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time in its history.
Switzerland will face a third-place team from Group E, F, G, I, or J, while Canada will play the runner-up from Group A.
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