World Cup 2026 sees 12 teams qualify for round of 32 as tournament expands

The expanded 48-team format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced its first round-of-32 lineup, with matches set to begin on June 28. The top two finishers in each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stage.

Mexico, co-hosts, opened the list after topping Group A with a 1-0 win over South Korea. The United States followed, leading Group D after a 2-0 victory against Australia. Germany qualified from Group E after a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, while Argentina secured Group J with a 2-0 triumph over Austria, bolstered by Lionel Messi’s two goals.

France earned its spot from Group I with a 3-0 win over Iraq, and Norway joined them after beating Senegal 3-2. Colombia progressed from Group K after a 1-0 win over DR Congo, and Switzerland topped Group B, confirming qualification with a 2-1 win over Canada. Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified as one of the best third-placed teams after a 3-1 victory over Qatar. Brazil topped Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland, and South Africa advanced for the first time to the knockout phase after a 1-0 win over South Korea.

Eight teams have been eliminated: Haiti (Group C), Turkey (Group D), Tunisia (Group F), Jordan (Group J), Panama (Group L), Qatar (Group B), and the Czech Republic (Group A). Their defeats left them unable to reach the required points or goal margins to qualify as third-place contenders.

FIFA introduced a new tie-breaker rule for the tournament, using head-to-head records before overall goal difference for teams level on points. The knockout phase will continue with the round of 16 on July 4, quarter-finals on July 9, semi-finals on July 14, and the final on July 19.