2026 World Cup group stage nears finish as teams clinch Round of 32 spots
With the group phase winding down, several nations have secured progression to the knockout round while others await final matches to determine their fate.
The 2026 World Cup group stage is approaching its final matchday, and the lineup for the Round of 32 is taking shape. The two leading teams from each of the twelve groups automatically advance, joined by the eight highest-ranked third-place finishers.
In Group A, Mexico topped the standings with nine points, while South Africa claimed second place and South Korea qualified as a third-place team. Czechia finished last and is eliminated. Group B saw Switzerland win the group, Canada qualify as runner-up, and Bosnia and Herzegovina move forward from third place; Qatar was knocked out.
Brazil topped Group C and will face the Group F runner-up in Houston. Morocco advanced as runner-up, and Scotland remains in contention for a third-place berth. Haiti is out. The United States led Group D and will meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, while Australia secured second place and will face the Group G runner-up. Türkiye was eliminated.
Germany and Ivory Coast qualified from Group E, with Ecuador advancing as a third-place team; Curaçao was eliminated. The Netherlands, Japan and Sweden progressed from Group F, leaving Tunisia out.
Group G and Group H have no qualifiers yet, with decisive matches remaining. Egypt, Belgium, Iran and New Zealand are still fighting for Group G positions, while Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia contest Group H.
France and Norway secured the top two spots in Group I, and Senegal stays alive as a potential third-place qualifier; Iraq was eliminated. Argentina already clinched Group J and will face the group’s runner-up in Miami, while Algeria and Austria battle for the second place.
Colombia leads Group K and has qualified; Portugal can still earn a spot with a draw. DR Congo and Uzbekistan need a win to stay in contention. In Group L, Panama is out, but England, Ghana and Croatia are still vying for the two automatic berths.
FIFA will rank teams level on points using goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results and other criteria to determine the final qualifiers.
