Analysis— 5 min read
The 2026 World Cup group stage concludes on Saturday June 27, and the knockout bracket is almost complete. Thirty-two of the 48 teams will survive. Twenty-eight spots have already been filled. Here is the full picture, group by group.
GROUP A
Mexico qualified as group winners — the first time El Tri have ever won all three of their group stage matches at a World Cup. South Africa qualified in second, becoming the first South African team to ever reach the World Cup knockout rounds. South Korea finish third and face an anxious wait. Czechia are eliminated.
GROUP B
Switzerland topped the group with a 2-1 win over Canada in their final match. Canada qualified as runners-up — the co-hosts through to the knockouts for the first time. Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified in second place with four points, securing a Round of 32 berth after beating Qatar 3-1 in their final group game. Qatar are eliminated, their tournament ending with a 6-0 thrashing by Canada and a five-match ban for the player whose tackle broke Ismael Kone's leg.
GROUP C
Brazil qualified as group winners after beating Scotland 3-0. Morocco qualified in second place after an unbeaten group stage. Scotland finish third on three points with a goal difference of minus-three — almost certainly not enough to make the best third-placed cut. Haiti are eliminated.
GROUP D
The United States qualified as group winners despite a 3-2 defeat to Turkey in their final match, which had no bearing on their standing. Australia qualified in second. Paraguay advanced as the third-placed team — their unlikely exit of Turkey, via a red card for covering a mouth, secured enough points for a knockout berth. Turkey are eliminated.
GROUP E
Germany qualified as group winners despite a shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador on the final matchday — their earlier 7-1 demolition of Curacao and a win over Ivory Coast had already sealed passage. Ivory Coast qualified in second with a 2-0 win over Curacao. Ecuador's upset win over Germany was enough for them to finish third with four points — they are through as a best third-place team. Curacao — the smallest nation ever to score at a World Cup — are eliminated.
GROUP F
Netherlands topped the group with seven points after a 3-1 win over Tunisia in the final game, completing a run of two wins and a draw. Japan advanced in second place after a 1-1 draw with Sweden. Sweden finish third. Tunisia are eliminated.
GROUP G
Spain qualified as group winners, finishing with seven points after a 1-0 win over Uruguay on June 26 — a result that ended Uruguay's tournament. Cape Verde, the giant-killers who held Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta, qualified in second place with three points after a flawless defensive campaign. Uruguay are eliminated. Saudi Arabia are eliminated.
GROUP H
Belgium qualified with a crushing 5-1 win over New Zealand in their final group match. Egypt, who beat New Zealand 3-1 in their second game, confirmed their place in the knockouts. Iran finish third. New Zealand are eliminated.
GROUP I
France topped the group on the final matchday, beating Norway 4-1 in Foxborough — a result that flipped what had been expected to be a dead rubber into a statement win for Deschamps' side. Norway finished second. Senegal beat Iraq 5-0 in Toronto in their biggest-ever World Cup win — the first African side to score five goals in a World Cup match — finishing third with three points and a goal difference of plus-two. Their passage to the Round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams has since been confirmed once all group stage results were finalised. Iraq are eliminated.
GROUP J
Argentina topped the group, with Messi's record-breaking brace against Austria extending their lead. Austria and Algeria meet in their final match on June 27 — both sides can still qualify, with a draw likely enough for Algeria to advance as a third-place team and Austria to secure second. Jordan are eliminated.
GROUP K
Colombia lead the group with six points after wins over Uzbekistan and DR Congo. Portugal sit second and are confirmed through. Colombia and Portugal meet on June 27 to decide who tops the group. DR Congo have an outside chance of second if they beat Uzbekistan while Portugal lose — but qualification as a third-place team is more likely. Uzbekistan are eliminated.
GROUP L
England and Ghana are both through with four points each, England ahead on goal difference. Their final matches on June 27 — England vs Panama, Ghana vs Croatia — will decide who tops the group. Croatia, on three points, can also secure a third-place knockout berth with a win. Panama are eliminated.
THIRD-PLACE RACE
Eight of the twelve third-place teams advance. Of those already confirmed in the race, the strongest candidates with four points include Ecuador, Paraguay, Senegal and Sweden. Scotland (three points, minus-three goal difference) and South Korea (three points) face a very difficult path. The final picture will be known after all June 27 matches conclude.