The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ended, and 32 teams have advanced to the Round of 32 knockout phase. The expanded 48 team format sent the top two teams from each of the 12 groups forward, along with the eight best third place finishers.
All three host nations made it through. Mexico topped Group A alongside South Africa. The United States won Group D with Australia as runner up and Paraguay advancing as a third place team. Canada reached the knockouts from Group B with Switzerland as group winner and Bosnia and Herzegovina also qualifying from third place.
Other confirmed teams include traditional powers such as Argentina (Group J winners), Brazil (Group C winners), France (Group I winners), Germany (Group E winners), England (Group L winners), Netherlands (Group F winners), Belgium (Group G winners), Spain (Group H winners), and Colombia (Group K winners). Runners-up and strong third-place teams round out the field with names like Morocco, Ivory Coast, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Croatia, Egypt, Austria, Algeria, Ecuador, Sweden, Senegal, DR Congo, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
Cape Verde’s appearance stands out as a notable first for the small island nation. Several established sides, including Uruguay and South Korea, did not advance.
The Round of 32 begins Sunday, June 28, with South Africa facing Canada in Inglewood, California. Other early matchups include Brazil against Japan, Germany versus Paraguay, and Netherlands taking on Morocco. The full knockout bracket pairs group winners mostly against third place teams or runners up from other groups, with later games running into early July.
This stage features a mix of experienced national teams and newer qualifiers, setting up a wide range of possible outcomes as the tournament moves to single elimination games across North America.