With the ultimate spherical of group stage fixtures underway, we’re attending to the enterprise finish of the 2026 World Cup. This is a rundown of who’s already reached the knockouts, who’s going dwelling, and what every group nonetheless must do to advance.
Certified ✅Mexico, United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa
Eradicated ❌Haiti, Turkiye, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia
Bounce to:Group A: 🇲🇽🇿🇦🇰🇷🇨🇿Group B: 🇨🇦🇧🇦🇶🇦🇨🇭Group C: 🇧🇷🇲🇦🇭🇹🏴Group D: 🇺🇸🇵🇾🇦🇺🇹🇷Group E: 🇩🇪🇨🇼🇨🇮🇪🇨Group F: 🇳🇱🇯🇵🇸🇪🇹🇳Group G: 🇧🇪🇪🇬🇮🇷🇳🇿Group H: 🇪🇸🇨🇻🇸🇦🇺🇾Group I: 🇫🇷🇸🇳🇮🇶🇳🇴Group J: 🇦🇷🇩🇿🇦🇹🇯🇴Group Okay: 🇵🇹🇨🇩🇺🇿🇨🇴Group L: 🏴🇭🇷🇬🇭🇵🇦Third-place desk
Tiebreakers
The highest two groups from every group qualify for the knockout rounds, together with the eight finest third-place groups.
If two or extra groups in the identical group are stage on factors after the conclusion of the group stage, the tiebreakers are as follows:
1. Head-to-head outcomes between the teams2. Aim distinction within the video games between the teams3. Highest variety of targets scored in video games between the teams4. General objective distinction in all group games5. General highest variety of targets scored within the group6. Fewest variety of purple or yellow playing cards received7. FIFA rating
Group full
Mexico had already locked up prime spot within the group previous to its group-stage finale Wednesday. El Tri accomplished an ideal 3-0-0 group stage anyway, and can play a third-place finisher from Group C, E, F, H, or I within the subsequent spherical.
South Africa pulled off a large upset, beating South Korea 1-0 to complete second and advance to the World Cup knockouts for the primary time. Bafana Bafana will play Canada within the spherical of 32.
The Koreans are nonetheless alive, however need assistance to advance as among the best third-place groups. Czechia has been eradicated.
Group full
Switzerland grabbed prime spot – the primary time the Swiss have gained a World Cup group since 2006 – with a 2-1 victory over Canada on Wednesday. The co-host wanted only a draw to complete first within the quartet, however Murat Yakin’s veteran facet took benefit of some Canadian lapses in protection in Vancouver.
Switzerland will face a third-place group from Group E, F, G, I, or J, whereas Canada will tackle South Africa.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will advance as among the best third-place finishers after a 3-1 win over Qatar mixed with different outcomes Wednesday. Bosnia’s likeliest opponent within the spherical of 32 is america.
Group full
Brazil took care of enterprise with a 3-0 win in opposition to Scotland on Wednesday in Miami to safe prime spot in its World Cup group but once more. Group C crosses over with Group F within the final 32, which means Brazil will play one of many Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden within the subsequent spherical.
Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 to clinch second place.
Scotland now faces a really anxious wait to see if three factors can be sufficient to advance as among the best third-place finishers. Scotland’s objective distinction took a critical hit Wednesday, however there’s nonetheless hope for Steve Clarke’s facet.
The US is within the enviable place of with the ability to relaxation key gamers going into its group finale in opposition to already-eliminated Turkiye. The Individuals have sealed first place in Group D after two wins, and can meet a third-place finisher from Group B, E, F, I, or J within the spherical of 32.
That match will happen July 1, and it’s extremely seemingly the U.S. will play Bosnia; The Athletic’s mannequin offers Bosnia greater than a 99% probability of advancing to the subsequent spherical and going to america’ a part of the bracket.
Australia, in the meantime, wants only a draw in opposition to Paraguay to maneuver on.
Remaining fixtures (June 25)
Turkiye vs. USA (Los Angeles – 10 p.m. ET)Paraguay vs. Australia (San Francisco – 10 p.m. ET)
Germany’s dramatic comeback victory over the Ivory Coast in Toronto despatched Julian Nagelsmann’s males to the subsequent spherical as group winners. They’re going to tackle a third-place finisher from Group A, B, C, D, or F within the spherical of 32.
Regardless of that painful loss, the Ivorians stay in a powerful place to qualify for the knockouts.
Ecuador, a pretournament darkish horse, is in critical hazard going into a bunch finale in opposition to Germany after failing to attain in its opening two video games. The Germans could also be inclined to relaxation starters in that match, although, so all hope is actually not misplaced for the stout South American squad.
Curacao, extremely, nonetheless has a shot at second place within the group.
Remaining fixtures (June 25)
Curacao vs. Ivory Coast (Philadelphia – 4 p.m. ET)Ecuador vs. Germany (New Jersey – 4 p.m. ET)
The Netherlands controls its personal destiny after a 5-1 dismantling of Sweden that boosted each the Oranje’s objective distinction and objective whole.
The matchup between Japan and Sweden within the group finale might find yourself being one of the crucial intriguing of Matchday 3, as each groups might nonetheless win the group, end second, or face an anxious wait in third relying on the end result. Japan will robotically attain the spherical of 32 with a draw.
Tunisia has already been eradicated regardless of Herve Renard’s finest efforts at a rescue mission.
Remaining fixtures (June 25)
Tunisia vs. Netherlands (Kansas Metropolis – 7 p.m. ET)Japan vs. Sweden (Dallas – 7 p.m. ET)
How many individuals anticipated this going into the ultimate spherical of group fixtures?
Belgium has flattered to deceive so far, and wishes a win in opposition to New Zealand to make sure of reaching the subsequent spherical. The rest, and the Crimson Devils might be one of many greatest names exiting the competitors early.
Egypt is the one group with a win up to now on this group. Mohamed Salah and Co. seemingly have sufficient factors already to advance it doesn’t matter what occurs versus Iran, however the Pharaohs will need to construct on their first-ever World Cup victory and prime the group, which might give them the theoretical benefit of a matchup with a third-place finisher within the subsequent spherical.
Whoever finishes second right here will play the second-place finisher from Group D, which can be both Australia or Paraguay.
Remaining fixtures (June 26)
Egypt vs. Iran (Seattle – 11 p.m. ET)New Zealand vs. Belgium (Vancouver – 11 p.m. ET)
A draw in opposition to Uruguay will nearly actually be sufficient for Spain to win Group H after La Roja’s dominant victory over Saudi Arabia obtained the pretournament favourite again on monitor.
In the meantime, Cape Verde can proceed to creator one of the crucial unimaginable tales in World Cup historical past if it might probably defeat the Saudis. Three factors would ship the Blue Sharks to the knockouts no matter what occurs between Spain and Uruguay within the concurrent fixture on Friday, and even a draw might but be sufficient for second place if every part breaks their means.
That each one leaves Marcelo Bielsa’s group in essentially the most perilous place.
Group H crosses over with Group J within the knockout stage, which means the facet that finishes second has the daunting activity of taking over Lionel Messi and Argentina within the spherical of 32.
Remaining fixtures (June 26)
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (Houston – 8 p.m. ET)Uruguay vs. Spain (Guadalajara – 8 p.m. ET)
With red-hot strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland main the best way, France and Norway have already secured passage to the knockout rounds, and their conflict within the group finale might be one of the crucial entertaining video games of the opening spherical – simply do not inform Haaland that.
France will take prime spot with a draw due to its superior objective distinction, and that may imply the distinction between taking part in a third-place finisher within the spherical of 32 or taking over the second-place finisher from Group E.
Senegal and Iraq will each be going all out for a victory of their match, as three factors for both might be sufficient to advance.
Remaining fixtures (June 26)
Noway vs. France (Boston – 3 p.m. ET)Senegal vs. Iraq (Toronto – 3 p.m. ET)
Golden Boot chief and history-maker Messi has already led Argentina to the spherical of 32 after scoring all 5 of the Albiceleste’s targets via two video games (each wins). The reigning champion, assured of prime spot on this quartet, will already be getting ready for a knockout match in opposition to the second-place finisher from Group H.
Austria wants only a attract its finale in opposition to Algeria to complete second.
Jordan has already been eradicated after two losses.
Remaining fixtures (June 27)
Jordan vs. Argentina (Dallas – 10 p.m. ET)Algeria vs. Austria (Kansas Metropolis – 10 p.m. ET)
Colombia might upset the apple cart with a end result in opposition to Portugal in a tantalizing Group Okay finale Saturday. Some extent can be sufficient for Los Cafeteros to relegate Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. to second place, and the reward for ending first is a last-32 assembly with a third-place finisher from Group D, E, I, J, or L.
The second-place finisher on this group will meet whoever finishes second in Group L (England, Ghana, or Croatia).
DR Congo and Uzbekistan each want three factors of their match if both one hopes to maintain their World Cup marketing campaign alive; the previous can be in a really sturdy place to advance with a win.
Remaining fixtures (June 27)
Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami – 7:30 p.m. ET)DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (Atlanta – 7:30 p.m. ET)
England, not for the primary time, didn’t construct on an encouraging match opener and subsequently should wait to safe development to the subsequent spherical. However, the Three Lions are nonetheless effectively positioned going into their closing group contest in opposition to already-eliminated Panama.
In the meantime, it is all to play for between Ghana and Croatia after they lock horns in Philadelphia. The Black Stars solely want some extent to safe a minimum of second place within the group. A win for both facet would truly give them first place if England drops factors in opposition to Panama.
Group L might be in for a wild finale.
Remaining fixtures (June 27)
Panama vs. England (New Jersey – 5 p.m. ET)Croatia vs. Ghana (Philadelphia – 5 p.m. ET)
Greatest third-place groups
The eight finest third-place finishers from the group stage will advance to the knockouts. If third-place finishers throughout the varied teams are tied on factors, the tiebreakers to find out who advances are as follows:
1. Aim difference2. Targets scored3. Fewest variety of purple or yellow playing cards received4. FIFA rating
