World Cup 2026: 28 Teams Secure Knockout Spots, Six Places Remain

The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking shape. The round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3. As of June 27, 28 teams have secured their spots, leaving six berths still to be determined.

Knockout Stage Format

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage. For the first time, a round of 32 appears at the World Cup after the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

Subsequent rounds include the round of 16 (July 4–7), quarterfinals (July 9–11), semifinals (July 14–15), the bronze medal match (July 18), and the final (July 19).

Revised Tie-Breaking Criteria

For the first time at a World Cup, FIFA applies head-to-head results rather than goal difference as the first tiebreaker when teams are level on points. According to FIFA regulations, the priority order is:

Step 1: (a) Points in group matches between the teams concerned; (b) Goal difference in matches between those teams; (c) Goals scored in matches between those teams.

Step 2 (if still tied): (a) Overall goal difference; (b) Overall goals scored; (c) Fair Play points (based on yellow and red cards).

Step 3: If still unresolved, teams are ranked by the latest FIFA rankings.

Criteria for Selecting the Best Third-Placed Teams

Priority order: (1) Points; (2) Goal difference; (3) Goals scored; (4) Fair Play points; (5) FIFA rankings.

List of 28 Teams Qualified for the Round of 32

Mexico (Group A): The co-host was the first team to qualify, after beating South Korea 1-0 on June 18. Mexico topped Group A with three wins.

USA (Group D): The second team to qualify, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Australia on June 19, finishing top of Group D.

Germany (Group E): The third team to qualify, beating Ivory Coast 2-1 on June 20, topping Group E.

Argentina (Group J): The defending champions secured their spot on June 22, beating Austria 2-0. Lionel Messi scored twice, becoming the all-time World Cup top scorer with 18 goals. Argentina is guaranteed to top Group J.

France (Group I): The title contenders qualified on June 23, defeating Iraq 3-0. Kylian Mbappe scored a brace. France also beat Senegal 3-1 in their opener.

Norway (Group I): Beat Senegal 3-2 on June 23, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

Colombia (Group K): Defeated DR Congo 1-0 on June 23 to advance.

Switzerland (Group B): Topped Group B with 7 points after beating co-host Canada 2-1 on June 24.

Canada (Group B): Finished second in Group B with 4 points.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B): Placed third in Group B and confirmed as one of the eight best third-placed teams after beating Qatar 3-1.

Brazil (Group C): Topped Group C with 7 points after a 3-0 win over Scotland on June 24.

Morocco (Group C): Finished second in Group C with 7 points.

South Africa (Group A): Reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, after a surprise 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24.

Ecuador (Group E): Qualified thanks to a shock 2-1 win over Germany on June 25, finishing with 4 points.

Ivory Coast (Group E): Second in Group E, qualified after a 2-0 win over Curacao on June 25.

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

Japan (Group F): Finished second in Group F with 5 points.

Sweden (Group F): Placed third in Group F with 4 points and advanced to the top eight third-placed teams.

Australia (Group D): Finished second in Group D with 4 points.

Paraguay (Group D): Finished third in Group D with 4 points and qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.

Belgium (Group G): Topped Group G with 5 points.

Egypt (Group G): Finished second in Group G with 5 points, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

Spain (Group H): Topped Group H with 7 points after a win over Uruguay.

Cape Verde (Group H): The debutants at the World Cup reached the knockout stage as Group H runners-up with 3 points.

Senegal (Group I): Finished third in Group I, advancing among the best third-placed teams after a 5-0 win over Iraq.

Portugal (Group K): Qualified after one win and one draw.

England (Group L): Secured a knockout spot after one win and one draw.

Ghana (Group L): Also qualified with 4 points after two matches.

Eliminated Teams

Haiti (Group C), Turkey (Group D), Tunisia (Group F), Jordan (Group J), Panama (Group L), Qatar (Group B), Czech Republic (Group A), Curacao (Group E), New Zealand (Group G), Uruguay (Group H), Saudi Arabia (Group H), and Iraq (Group I).