The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is taking shape with the round of 32 appearing for the first time since the tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams. This round runs from June 28 to July 3, followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final on July 19.
Under the format, the 12 group winners and 12 runners-up, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the round of 32. FIFA's tiebreaking criteria feature a change: for the first time, head-to-head results take priority over goal difference when teams are level on points.
Teams that have reached the round of 32 (as of 03:00 GMT on June 21):
⚽️ Mexico (Group A) — The co-host became the first team to book its spot after beating South Korea 1-0 on June 18, taking the top spot in Group A. Earlier, Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 in the opening match.
⚽️ United States (Group D) — The second side to qualify, courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Australia on June 19, after thumping Paraguay 4-1 in their opening match.
⚽️ Germany (Group E) — The third team to seal a place in the round of 32 with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on June 20. Germany kicked off the tournament with a dominant 7-1 win over Curacao.
Teams that have been eliminated:
⚽️ Haiti (Group C) — The first team eliminated following a 3-0 loss to Brazil on June 19. The side making its first World Cup appearance since 1974 also lost 0-1 to Scotland in their opener.
⚽️ Turkey (Group D) — Eliminated after a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay (despite the opponent being down to 10 men) on June 19. Turkey had earlier suffered a shock 0-2 loss to Australia in their first match back at the World Cup after a 24-year absence.
Haiti and Turkey could not catch the third-placed teams in their groups because they lost to those very teams under the new FIFA head-to-head tiebreaker rule.
