The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage is set after the conclusion of the group phase, with all 32 Round of 32 places confirmed.
Co-hosts Mexico, the United States and Canada are among the teams advancing, while defending champions Argentina, five-time winners Brazil, Spain, England, France and Germany headline a star-studded field preparing for the first knockout round beginning on June 28.
Qualified for the Round of 32
Mexico
The co-hosts had the honour of getting the tournament under way, and were also the first side to secure progress after victories over South Africa and Korea Republic ensured they would top Group A. El Tri will now meet Ecuador in the Round of 32 in Mexico City on 30 June.
USA
Hot on the heels of their neighbours, Mauricio Pochettino's side were the next team to qualify - delighting fans in Los Angeles and Seattle with comfortable successes against Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Paraguay's victory over Türkiye later the same day confirmed Mauricio Pochettino's side as group winners, and set them up with a Round of 32 meeting against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the San Francisco Bay Area on 1 July.
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann's side became the first European team to progress, securing their place in the knockout phase for the first time since 2014 after back-to-back victories over Curaçao and Côte d'Ivoire in their first two Group E matches. Curaçao's shock draw with Ecuador in their second Group E match confirmed Germany would win the group, to set up a meeting with Paraguay in Boston on 29 June.
Argentina
Inspired by record-breaking captain Lionel Messi, Argentina ensured progress after just two games thanks to a 3-0 victory over Algeria and a 2-0 success against Austria, with all the goals scored by their talisman. Jordan's defeat to Algeria later the same day means the holders were confirmed as Group J winners and now go on to meet Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami on 3 July.
France
The 2018 winners and 2022 finalists booked their ticket out of Group I with a game to spare thanks to the goals of Kylian Mbappe, as the prolific forward scored twice in each of the victories over Senegal and Iraq. Success against Norway in their final fixture set up a Round of 32 meeting with Sweden in New York New Jersey on 30 June.
Norway
Having waited 28 years for a World Cup return, Stale Solbakken's side made short work of qualifying from Group I as they overcame Iraq and Senegal, inspired by the goals of Erling Haaland. Having finished second behind France, they now meet Group E runners-up Côte d’Ivoire in Dallas on 30 June.
Colombia
Back-to-back victories in their opening games against Uzbekistan and Congo DR gave Nestor Lorenzo's men safe passage to the Round of 32, before a draw with Portugal ensured they topped Group K, setting up a game against Ghana in Kansas on 3 July.
Switzerland
Murat Yakin guided his side to seven points from their three Group B games, with victory over Canada in their final fixture setting up a Round of 32 date with Algeria in Vancouver on 2 July.
Canada
The co-hosts will have to leave home soil for the first time this tournament having finished as runners-up in Group B, and they now meet the Group A runners-up South Africa in Los Angeles on 28 June.
Brazil
The five-times winners claimed top spot in Group C with a 3-0 success against Scotland, and will now meet Group F runners-up Japan in Houston on 29 June.
Morocco
The Atlas Lions confirmed they would finish as runners-up in Group C with a 4-2 victory over Haiti and now meet Group F winners the Netherlands in Monterrey on 29 June.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The European outfit were confirmed as one of the best third-placed qualifiers hours after their 3-1 success against Qatar ensured they would finish on four points in Group B, setting up a Round of 32 meeting with co-hosts USA at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on 1 July.
South Africa
Bafana Bafana booked their place in the knockout phase of the World Cup for the first time in their history, recovering from an opening day defeat to Mexico to draw with Czechia and then defeat Korea Republic to spark scenes of jubilation in Monterrey and beyond. A meeting with co-hosts Canada kicks off the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June.
Côte d'Ivoire
The African side booked a meeting with Group I runners-up Norway in the Round of 32 in Dallas on 30 June, having secured second place in Group E with victories over Ecuador and Curaçao.
Ecuador
The South American side saved their best for last in Group E with a 2-1 win against Germany ensuring they finished third with four points, having previously lost to Côte d'Ivoire and being held to a goalless draw by Curaçao. Their next challenge is a meeting with co-hosts Mexico on 30 June.
Netherlands
Ronald Koeman's side topped Group F after victories over Sweden and Tunisia following an opening draw with Japan. They move on to face Morocco in the Round of 32 at Monterrey Stadium on 29 June.
Japan
The AFC outfit have a challenging encounter with Group C winners Brazil next on the agenda in Houston on 29 June, having finished in second place in Group F after draws with Netherlands and Sweden, and a victory over Tunisia.
Sweden
Graham Potter's men are assured of progress as one of the best eight third-placed sides after drawing with Japan in their final group game, having cruised to victory over Tunisia and then suffering a heavy defeat to Netherlands. France will be their next opponents in New York New Jersey on 30 June.
Australia
The Socceroos ensured they would feature in the knockout phase after finishing second in Group D thanks to three points against Türkiye and a draw with Paraguay. They now face Group G runners-up Egypt in Dallas on 3 July.
Spain
The 2010 winners finished top of Group H after an opening round draw with Cabo Verde was followed by victories against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. They will meet Group J runners-up Austria in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on 2 July.
Cabo Verde
The tournament debutants have captured hearts around the globe and emerged unbeaten from Group H as runners-up following draws with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Their next task is a clash with holders Argentina in Miami on 3 July.
Paraguay
The South American nation finished third in Group D behind USA and Australia and were confirmed as one the the best third-placed qualifiers 24 hours later. Their reward is a meeting with Germany in Boston on 29 June.
Belgium
Despite a slow start to the tournament which saw them draw with Egypt and IR Iran, Belgium found their form in their final fixture to overcome New Zealand 5-1 and set up a date with Senegal in the Round of 32 in Seattle on 1 July.
Egypt
Although their qualification had been confirmed before kick-off, a dramatic final day in Group G saw The Pharaohs take second place in the table as they drew 1-1 with IR Iran. They will now take on Group D runners-up Australia in Dallas on 3 July.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga gave themselves every chance of securing a best third-place berth after ending their Group I campaign with a 5-0 victory over Iraq, and their progress was confirmed a few hours later following the conclusion of the Group G fixtures. Belgium are their next opponents in Seattle on 1 July.
England
Thomas Tuchel's side topped Group L with victories over Croatia and Panama sandwiching a draw against Ghana. The Three Lions move on to Atlanta, where they meet Congo DR on 1 July.
Croatia
The 2018 finalists and 2022 semi-finalists emerged from Group L in second place after bouncing back from an opening defeat by England to overcome Panama and Ghana. They now meet Group K runners-up Portugal in the Round of 32 in Toronto on 2 July.
Ghana
The Black Stars qualified from Group L as one the the eight best third-placed sides and will now meet Group K winners Colombia at Kansas City Stadium on 3 July.
Portugal
Portugal booked their place in the Round of 32 before kicking a ball in their final group match. Having already reached four points, and thanks to results in Group H having shifted the qualifying threshold, that was enough to guarantee progression. After drawing 0-0 with Colombia to finish as runners-up, they now meet Croatia in Toronto on 2 July.
Congo DR
The CAF outfit secured their place in the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed sides, finishing behind Colombia and Portugal in Group K. Their next challenge is a clash with England in Atlanta on 1 July.
Austria
A dramatic final day encounter with Algeria saw Austria secure second place in Group J thanks to a 3-3 draw clinched with the very last kick of the game. They now move on to face Spain in Los Angeles on 2 July.
Algeria
The Desert Foxes were seconds away from snatching victory over Austria, but had to settle for going through as the last of the eight best third-placed sides. Switzerland now await on 2 July in Vancouver.
Courtesy: FIFA
