World Cup 2026: Which Teams Have Secured a Place in the Round of 32?
Manasi Pathak
The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup begins with a new 32-team round, a first since the tournament expanded to 48 teams. Hosts Mexico, the United States, and Germany have already qualified, while Haiti, Turkey, and Tunisia have been eliminated.
The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking shape with the round of 32, running from June 28 to July 3. This is the first World Cup to feature a 32-team round after the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams.
Knockout Stage Format
The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage. Following the round of 32, the tournament continues with the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, the third-place match, and the final on July 19.
Schedule by phase:
- Group stage: June 11–27
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
- Round of 16: July 4–7
- Quarter-finals: July 9–11
- Semi-finals: July 14–15
- Third-place match: July 18
- Final: July 19
New Tie-Breaker Regulation
For the first time at a World Cup, FIFA will use head-to-head results instead of goal difference as the primary tie-breaker when teams are level on points. Haiti, Turkey, and Tunisia have been eliminated because they failed to keep pace with the third-placed teams in their groups, losing to those teams.
Group Ranking Criteria
According to FIFA regulations, if two or more teams in the same group finish with the same number of points after the group stage, the following criteria are applied in order:
Step One
- Greater number of points obtained in the group matches.
- Superior goal difference in the matches between the tied teams (head-to-head).
- Greater number of goals scored in the matches between the tied teams (head-to-head).
If still tied, apply:
Step Two
- Superior goal difference in all group matches.
- Greater number of goals scored in all group matches.
- Superior disciplinary record (based on yellow and red cards).
If still undecided:
Step Three
- Position in the latest FIFA world ranking.
Criteria for the Eight Best Third-Placed Teams
The eight best third-placed teams are determined by: points, goal difference, goals scored, disciplinary record, and FIFA world ranking.
Teams That Have Qualified for the Round of 32
(As of June 21, 06:00 GMT)
⚽️ Mexico (Group A)
The co-host became the first team to qualify after a 1–0 victory over South Korea on June 18, following a 2–0 win over South Africa in the opening match.
⚽️ USA (Group D)
The USA was the second team to qualify, thanks to a 2–0 win over Australia on June 19, after beating Paraguay 4–1 in their first match.
⚽️ Germany (Group E)
Germany became the third team to advance to the round of 32 with a 2–1 victory over Ivory Coast on June 20, following a 7–1 win over Curacao in their opening match.
Eliminated Teams
⚽️ Haiti (Group C)
Haiti was the first team eliminated after a 3–0 defeat to Brazil on June 19, along with a 1–0 loss to Scotland in their first match. This was Haiti's first World Cup appearance since 1974.
⚽️ Turkey (Group D)
Turkey was eliminated after a 1–0 loss to Paraguay despite Paraguay playing with ten men, compounded by a shock 2–0 defeat to Australia in their opening match. It was their first tournament in 24 years.
⚽️ Tunisia (Group F)
Tunisia was eliminated after a 4–0 loss to Japan on June 20, following a heavy 5–1 defeat to Sweden. Tunisia was the first African nation to win a World Cup match (beating Mexico in 1978), but has never progressed beyond the group stage.
