World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage: Teams That Have Secured a Place in the Round of 32

The knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking shape, with 20 teams already securing their spots in the Round of 32 — a first for the tournament since it expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

Under the new format, the 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout round. The Round of 32 will be held from June 28 to July 3, followed by the Round of 16 (July 4-7), the quarterfinals (July 9-11), the semifinals (July 14-15), the third-place match (July 18), and the final on July 19.

A notable change in the ranking criteria: FIFA is applying head-to-head results as the primary tiebreaker for the first time, instead of goal difference. If still tied, teams will be ranked based on overall goal difference, total goals, fair play points (yellow and red cards), and finally the FIFA world ranking.

Teams That Have Secured a Place in the Round of 32

⚽️ Mexico (Group A) – The co-host became the first team to qualify after a 1-0 win against South Korea on June 18.

⚽️ United States (Group D) – Booked their spot as runners-up with a 2-0 victory over Australia on June 19.

⚽️ Germany (Group E) – Beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on June 20, ending their streak of group-stage exits in the last two tournaments.

⚽️ Argentina (Group J) – The defending champions defeated Austria 2-0 on June 22, with Lionel Messi scoring a brace and becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history with 18 goals.

⚽️ France (Group I) – Won 3-0 against Iraq on June 23, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace.

⚽️ Norway (Group I) – Beat Senegal 3-2 on June 23, returning to the World Cup after 28 years.

⚽️ Colombia (Group K) – Defeated DR Congo 1-0 on June 23.

⚽️ Switzerland (Group B) – Topped their group with 7 points after a 2-1 win over Canada on June 24.

⚽️ Canada (Group B) – Finished as group runner-up with 4 points.

⚽️ Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B) – Placed third in the group but qualified as one of the eight best third-placed teams after beating Qatar 3-1.

⚽️ Brazil (Group C) – Won their group after a 3-0 victory over Scotland on June 24, with Vinicius Junior scoring a brace.

⚽️ Morocco (Group C) – Finished as runners-up with 7 points (one draw, two wins).

⚽️ South Africa (Group A) – Reached the knockout stage for the first time in history after a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24.

⚽️ Ecuador (Group E) – Beat Germany 2-1 on June 25, claiming the runner-up spot with 4 points.

⚽️ Ivory Coast (Group E) – Advanced to the knockout stage for the first time after a 2-0 win over Curacao on June 25.

⚽️ Netherlands (Group F) – Topped their group with 7 points after a 3-1 win over Tunisia on June 26.

⚽️ Japan (Group F) – Finished as group runner-up with 5 points after drawing 1-1 with Sweden.

⚽️ Sweden (Group F) – One of the eight best third-placed teams with 4 points.

Eliminated Teams

Haiti (Group C) – Eliminated after a 0-3 loss to Brazil on June 19.

Turkey (Group D) – Eliminated following a 0-1 defeat to Paraguay on June 20.

Tunisia (Group F) – Eliminated after a 0-4 loss to Japan on June 20.

Jordan (Group J) – Eliminated after two consecutive defeats.

Panama (Group L) – Eliminated after a 0-1 loss to Croatia on June 23.

Qatar (Group B) – The 2022 World Cup hosts were eliminated after a 1-3 loss to Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 24.

Czechia (Group A) – Eliminated after a 1-3 loss to Mexico on June 24.

Curacao (Group E) – The smallest nation ever to participate in a World Cup was eliminated after losing to Ivory Coast on June 25.

The remaining teams will be determined after the group stage concludes on June 27.