2026 World Cup: How teams can advance to the knockout roundsplayHas Pochettino silenced the doubters? (1:56)Nicholas SomMultiple AuthorsJun 19, 2026, 05:08 PM ET
tamil yogi
The group stage of the 2026 World Cup is underway, and the knockout round bracket is beginning to take shape
The creation of a round of 32, and the eight best third-place teams out of 12 advancing as a result, has made it much harder to project teams’ paths through the World Cup. Nonetheless, the format of the group stage and its initial head-to-head tiebreakers mean some teams can seal places in the knockout rounds at this early stage, while others might have their dreams of making it out of the group stage shattered.
According to FIFA, the tiebreakers if two or more teams in the same group are equal on points after the group stage are as follows:
Step one
– Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned (head-to-head)
– Superior goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned (head-to-head)
– Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned (head-to-head)
Step two (if still equal)
– Superior goal difference in all group matches
– Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
– Highest team conduct score (players and team officials) relating to the number of yellow and red cards obtained
Step three (if still equal)
– Ranked according to the most recent published edition of the FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking
Here’s what’s at stake in the next week of action.
QUALIFIED: Mexico, United States
– 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule: Fixtures, results, features
GROUP A
Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Mexico beat South Korea to seal top spot and a game against a third-place team from Group C, E, F, H or I in the round of 32.
South Korea are still favorites to finish second, as a draw will suffice even if Czechia beat Mexico in the final game because of their head-to-head record. But if they lose to South Africa and Czechia defeats Mexico, they would finish fourth and be out of the World Cup.
South Africa and Czechia played out a 1-1 draw on Thursday, staving off elimination for now. But each would have to win their final group stage game to have any hope of advancing.
In the round of 32, the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group B (Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar).
Next fixtures:
Wednesday: Czechia vs. Mexico (Mexico City, 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET); South Africa vs. South Korea (Guadalupe, Mexico, 7 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET)
GROUP B
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Canada and Switzerland are level with four points at the top of the group, but Canada lead by virtue of their superior goal differential after beating Qatar 6-0. That advantage could make a big difference, because the two teams play each other next with first place in the group on the line. Switzerland must win if they want to top the group, while Canada would earn first place with either a win or a draw.
The stakes will be even higher in Bosnia and Herzegovina‘s match with Qatar. The winner will stand an excellent chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds, though not guaranteed as it could depend on whether they are one of the eight best third-place teams, while the loser would be eliminated. A draw would likely send both teams home early.
It’s mathematically possible for either Bosnia and Herzegovina or Qatar to even finish second if they win, but that would require the winning team to overturn a significant goal differential against the loser of Canada-Switzerland (if that match doesn’t end in a draw), and Bosnia and Herzegovina would need Canada to lose, while Qatar would need a Switzerland loss.
In the round of 32, the Group B winner will face a third-place team from one of five possible groups, while the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group A (Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, South Africa).
Next fixtures:
Wednesday: Switzerland vs. Canada (Vancouver, Canada, 3 p.m. ET); Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (Seattle, 3 p.m. ET)
GROUP C
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Scotland‘s 1-0 win over Haiti means they will advance to the round of 32 if they beat Morocco on Friday. It would be an impressive accomplishment for Steve Clarke’s team, and it would put Scotland in a strong position to win the group.
Haiti have their backs against the wall as a result. They will be eliminated if they lose to Brazil and Morocco beat Scotland.
And as for the group favorites, Brazil and Morocco, their 1-1 draw leaves them in an uncertain position. But with wins in their next matches, in which both will be favored, they will be well on track to qualify.
In the round of 32, the Group C winner will face the runner-up of Group F (Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia), while the runner-up will play the winner of Group F.
Next fixtures:
Scotland vs. Morocco (Foxborough, Massachusetts), Friday, 6 p.m. ET
Brazil vs. Haiti (Philadelphia), Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET
GROUP D
United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
The United States have qualified for the knockout rounds after following up their historic win over Paraguay with a 2-0 victory over Australia. If Türkiye lose or draw against Paraguay later Friday, the U.S. would win the group and play a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J in the round of 32.
Australia remain in a decent position, though a win over Paraguay in Matchweek 3 is the only way they could guarantee qualification for the knockouts at this point. All options remain open for the Socceroos — they could finish anywhere from first to fourth in the group, and the result of Türkiye-Paraguay will help clarify what they need to do.
Türkiye would be locked into fourth place if they lose to Paraguay, and while Paraguay would not be guaranteed fourth if they lose, they would need to beat Australia in their final group stage match and hope for results elsewhere to go in their favor in order to advance.
In the round of 32, the runner-up of Group D will face the runner-up of Group G (Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand).
Next fixtures:
Türkiye vs. Paraguay (Santa Clara, California), Friday, 8 p.m. local / 11 p.m. ET
GROUP E
Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Germany won in impressive fashion over Curaçao, with the match ending 7-1. They could now qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over Ivory Coast, while a Curaçao win or draw against Ecuador in combination with that would secure first place for Julian Nagelsmann’s team.
Ivory Coast are in a similarly strong position after a 1-0 win over Ecuador. They would advance with a win over Germany, and an Ecuador win or draw in addition to that would make them group winners.
The losing teams from Matchweek 1 are now in perilous positions. Ecuador would be eliminated with a loss to Curaçao and a Germany win or draw against Ivory Coast, while Curaçao would be eliminated with a loss to Ecuador and an Ivory Coast win or draw against Germany.
In the round of 32, the Group E winner will play the runner-up from any of five groups, while the runner-up will face the runner-up of Group I (France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway).
Next fixtures:
Germany vs. Ivory Coast (Toronto), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET
Ecuador vs. Curaçao (Kansas City, Missouri), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
GROUP F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Sweden were convincing in a 5-1 win over Tunisia, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres getting on the scoresheet. They are now in position to advance to the knockout rounds if they defeat Netherlands in their second match.
Meanwhile, Tunisia are fending of elimination — if they lose to Japan on Saturday and Netherlands beat Sweden, their World Cup dreams will be over.
Netherlands and Japan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first matchweek, so either team remain capable of topping the group.
In the round of 32, the Group F winner will face the runner-up of Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland), while the runner-up will face the winner of Group C.
Next fixtures:
Netherlands vs. Sweden (Houston), Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
Tunisia vs. Japan (Guadalupe, Mexico), Saturday, 10 p.m. local / Sunday, 12 a.m. ET
GROUP G
Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Like Group B, this group had two draws in the first round of matches. None of the four teams can qualify for the knockout rounds after Matchweek 2, and none can be eliminated from the World Cup.
In the round of 32, the Group G winner will face a third-place team from one of five possible groups, while the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group D (United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye).
Next fixtures:
Belgium vs. Iran (Inglewood, California), Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
New Zealand vs. Egypt (Vancouver), Sunday, 9 p.m. ET
GROUP H
Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group H is yet another group that had two draws in the first matchweek. None of the four teams can qualify for the knockout rounds after Matchweek 2, and none can be eliminated from the World Cup.
In the round of 32, the Group H winner will face the runner-up of Group J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan), while the runner-up will play the winner of of Group J.
Next fixtures:
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Atlanta), Sunday, noon ET
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (Miami Gardens, Florida), Sunday, 6 p.m. ET
GROUP I
France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
After France‘s and Norway‘s big wins in their 2026 debuts, featuring big performances from stars Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, their paths are simple: Win their next matches, and they’ll be in the knockout rounds.
Even if both countries have qualified for the knockouts before they play each other in Matchweek 3, first place in Group I will still be up for grabs — and that will be the difference between playing a second- or third-place team in the round of 32.
Neither Senegal nor Iraq can be eliminated with a loss. The teams will play each other in the final matchweek, and a win (particularly a decisive one, to boost their goal differential) would keep them in the running to advance as a third-place team.
In the round of 32, the Group I winner will face a third-place team from one of five groups, while the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group E (Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador).
Next fixtures:
France vs. Iraq (Philadelphia), Monday, 5 p.m. ET
Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, New Jersey), Monday, 8 p.m. ET
GROUP J
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Argentina and Austria are in position to qualify for the knockout rounds in their second group-stage contests but they need wins and, unfortunately for them, they play each other.
If Argentina beat Austria on Monday, the Albiceleste are on to the round of 32; if Algeria also pick up a point or more against Jordan, Argentina will win the group.
Similarly, if Austria upset Lionel Messi & Co., Ralf Rangnick’s team will be among the last 32. A Jordan win or draw vs. Algeria in addition to that would make Austria the group winners.
At the other end of the Group J table, Algeria could be going home if they lose to Jordan and Austria draw or beat Argentina. Meanwhile, Jordan will be knocked out if they lose to Algeria and Argentina win or draw against Austria.
In the round of 32, the Group J winner will face the runner-up of Group H (Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay), while the runner-up will play the winner of Group H.
Next fixtures:
Argentina vs. Austria (Arlington, Texas), Monday, 1 p.m. ET
Jordan vs. Algeria (Santa Clara, California), Monday, 11 p.m. ET
GROUP K
Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Colombia were tested a bit by Uzbekistan in their first match, though they still emerged with a 3-1 win. That gives them the opportunity to clinch a knockout round place with a win over Congo DR.
Uzbekistan are in danger of elimination as a result. If they lose to Portugal and Congo DR defeat Colombia, there will be no hope for the central Asian nation to avoid fourth place in the group.
After Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal‘s surprise 1-1 draw against Congo DR, all scenarios remain open for both teams. Either would feel confident of qualifying for the knockouts with a win in their next match.
In the round of 32, the Group K winner will face a third-place team from one of five groups, while the runner-up will play the Group L runners-up (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama).
Next fixtures:
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (Houston), Tuesday, 1 p.m. ET
Colombia vs. Congo DR (Zapopan, Mexico), Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET
GROUP L
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
England and Ghana were the winners in Group L’s first matches, with the Three Lions powered by a Harry Kane brace. They’ll play each other in Matchweek 2 on Tuesday, and the winner will clinch a place in the knockout rounds.
If England beat Ghana, they’d need a Croatia win to secure first place in the group, while Ghana would hope for a Panama win if they emerge victorious.
If England and Ghana draw, neither team will be assured a place in the knockout rounds at that point.
The loser of Croatia vs. Panama, meanwhile, will be in danger of elimination. If it’s Croatia, they would be knocked out with a Ghana win or draw against England, while Panama would be eliminated from knockout round contention with a loss and an England win or draw against Ghana.
In the round of 32, the Group L winner will face a third-place team from one of five groups, while the runner-up will play the runner-up of Group K (Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia).
Next fixtures:
England vs. Ghana (Foxborough, Massachusetts), Tuesday, 4 p.m. ET
Panama vs. Croatia (Toronto), Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET
