The 2026 FIFA World Cup has now moved into the most exciting part of the tournament — the knockout stage. After six rounds of group stage action across 12 groups, 32 teams are now left standing. Each match from here is do-or-die. Win, and you move on. Lose, and you go home. This is the first-ever World Cup to feature a Round of 32 in the knockout stage, made possible by the expanded 48-team format. Here is everything you need to know about the bracket, every matchup, the results so far, and how each team earned their place in the knockout round.
How the Round of 32 Works
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to include 48 teams, split into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group advanced automatically to the knockout stage — that is 24 teams. On top of that, the eight best third-placed teams from all 12 groups also qualified, bringing the total to 32. The bracket is fixed, meaning there is no redraw at any stage. Every team knows in advance who they could face in each round, all the way to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. If a match is tied after 90 minutes, an extra 30 minutes are played. If the score remains level, the match is decided by a penalty shootout. There are no draws in the knockout stage — every game must produce a winner. If you are following the tournament from the UAE and want to stay connected with live updates, you can explore Du Unlimited Data For 1 Month to keep your phone charged with data and never miss a match alert or goal notification.
All 12 Group Stage Tables — Final Standings
Here is a complete look at all 12 group standings from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, including points, wins, draws, losses, goals scored, goals against, and goal difference for every team.
Group A
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| 2 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
✅ Qualified: Mexico (1st), South Africa (2nd)
❌ Eliminated: South Korea (3rd), Czechia (4th)
Group B
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇨🇦 Canada | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇶🇦 Qatar | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 1 |
✅ Qualified: Switzerland (1st), Canada (2nd), Bosnia & Herzegovina (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Qatar (4th)
Group C
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| 3 | 🏴 Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇭🇹 Haiti | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: Brazil (1st), Morocco (2nd)
❌ Eliminated: Scotland (3rd), Haiti (4th)
Group D
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 |
| 2 | 🇦🇺 Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
✅ Qualified: United States (1st), Australia (2nd), Paraguay (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Turkey (4th)
Group E
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇩🇪 Germany | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 6 |
| 2 | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇨🇼 Curaçao | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 1 |
✅ Qualified: Germany (1st), Ivory Coast (2nd), Ecuador (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Curaçao (4th)
Group F
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇯🇵 Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 5 |
| 3 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: Netherlands (1st), Japan (2nd), Sweden (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Tunisia (4th)
Group G
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| 2 | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 |
| 3 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 1 |
✅ Qualified: Belgium (1st), Egypt (2nd)
❌ Eliminated: Iran (3rd), New Zealand (4th)
Group H
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| 4 | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 2 |
✅ Qualified: Spain (1st), Cape Verde (2nd)
❌ Eliminated: Uruguay (3rd), Saudi Arabia (4th)
Group I
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇫🇷 France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 9 |
| 2 | 🇳🇴 Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 6 |
| 3 | 🇸🇳 Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇮🇶 Iraq | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: France (1st), Norway (2nd), Senegal (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Iraq (4th)
Group J
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 |
| 2 | 🇦🇹 Austria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇩🇿 Algeria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇯🇴 Jordan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: Argentina (1st), Austria (2nd), Algeria (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Jordan (4th)
Group K
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 5 |
| 3 | 🇨🇩 DR Congo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: Colombia (1st), Portugal (2nd), DR Congo (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Uzbekistan (4th)
Group L
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🏴 England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 🇵🇦 Panama | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
✅ Qualified: England (1st), Croatia (2nd), Ghana (best 3rd place)
❌ Eliminated: Panama (4th)
Best 8 Third-Place Teams — Final Ranking
| Rank | Group | Team | GP | Pts | GD | GF | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K | 🇨🇩 DR Congo | 3 | 4 | +1 | 4 | ✅ Qualified |
| 2 | F | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | ✅ Qualified |
| 3 | E | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ✅ Qualified |
| 4 | L | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | ✅ Qualified |
| 5 | B | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 3 | 4 | -1 | 5 | ✅ Qualified |
| 6 | J | 🇩🇿 Algeria | 3 | 4 | -2 | 5 | ✅ Qualified |
| 7 | D | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 3 | 4 | -2 | 2 | ✅ Qualified |
| 8 | I | 🇸🇳 Senegal | 3 | 3 | +2 | 8 | ✅ Qualified |
| 9 | G | 🇮🇷 Iran | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ❌ Eliminated |
| 10 | A | 🇰🇷 South Korea | 3 | 3 | -1 | 2 | ❌ Eliminated |
| 11 | C | 🏴 Scotland | 3 | 3 | -3 | 1 | ❌ Eliminated |
| 12 | H | 🇺🇾 Uruguay | 3 | 2 | -1 | 3 | ❌ Eliminated |
Sunday, June 28 — Round of 32 Begins
The knockout stage kicked off with just one match on the opening day, but it was full of history. Canada beat South Africa 1-0 at the Los Angeles Stadium, handing Canada their first-ever knockout stage win in a men’s World Cup. Canada had finished second in Group B behind Switzerland, while South Africa earned their knockout spot by finishing second in Group A after some impressive group-stage performances, including a 1-0 upset over South Korea. Canada now advance to face Morocco in the Round of 16.
Monday, June 29 — Upsets and Penalties
Three matches were played on Monday June 29 and they delivered huge drama. Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in Houston to advance comfortably. Brazil topped Group C while Japan had come through in second place from Group F. It was a solid performance from the five-time world champions who continue to look like serious contenders this tournament.
Germany vs Paraguay was the shock of the day. Germany had finished first in Group E, while Paraguay had sneaked through as a third-place qualifier from Group D. After a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and extra time, Paraguay stunned Germany on penalties, winning the shootout 4-3. Germany, one of the biggest favourites heading into the tournament, were sent home early in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Morocco also pulled off a stunning result, eliminating the Netherlands on penalties. The Netherlands had won Group F comfortably, while Morocco came through as Group C runners-up. After a 1-1 draw, Morocco won the shootout 3-2, sending them through to the Round of 16 where they will face Canada in Houston on July 4.
Tuesday, June 30 — France and Mexico Advance
Tuesday brought two exciting matches. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in a closely contested game at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Erling Haaland’s Norway had finished first in Group I, while Ivory Coast came through as Group E runners-up. Norway will now face Brazil in the Round of 16.
France beat Sweden 3-0 in a commanding display at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Kylian Mbappe scored twice, continuing his tournament in brilliant form. France had won Group I and Sweden had qualified as one of the best third-place teams from Group F. France will go on to face Paraguay in the Round of 16.
Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in front of a passionate home crowd. Julian Quinones scored in the 22nd minute and Raul Jimenez doubled the lead in the 31st minute. Mexico controlled the game despite Ecuador having more possession. Mexico won Group A while Ecuador had come through as a third-place qualifier from Group E. Mexico now advance to face the winner of England vs DR Congo in the Round of 16 in Mexico City.
Wednesday, July 1 — Three More Matches
England face DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 12 p.m. ET. England topped Group L thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, while DR Congo advanced as one of the best third-place teams from Group K. This match is live and expected to be a tough test for England.
Belgium face Senegal at Lumen Field in Seattle at 4 p.m. ET. Belgium won Group G with a dominant 5-1 win over New Zealand in their final group game, while Senegal advanced as a third-place qualifier from Group I. Belgium are among the favourites to go deep in the tournament. If you are an Etisalat subscriber and want to make sure your balance is topped up before the next set of games, it helps to know How to Check Balance in Etisalat so you never run out of data during a live game.
The United States face Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara at 8 p.m. ET. The USMNT won Group D and will be looking to make a strong statement on home soil. Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified as a third-place team from Group B. The winner of this match will go on to face the winner of Belgium vs Senegal in the Round of 16 in Seattle.
Thursday, July 2 — Spain, Portugal and Switzerland in Action
Spain face Austria at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood at 3 p.m. ET. Spain clinched Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay and are one of the tournament’s strongest teams. Young star Lamine Yamal has been in top form throughout the group stage. Austria finished second in Group J, just ahead of Algeria, after a draw in their final game. This is expected to be a competitive match.
Portugal face Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto at 7 p.m. ET. This is a rematch of the 2016 European Championship final, and remarkably both Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are still leading their countries. Portugal finished second in Group K behind Colombia, while Croatia came second in Group L. This is one of the most anticipated matches of the Round of 32.
Switzerland face Algeria at Vancouver Stadium in Vancouver at 11 p.m. ET. Switzerland won Group B convincingly while Algeria squeezed through as a third-place qualifier from Group J. Algeria was the very last team to confirm their knockout stage spot, doing so with a draw against Austria on the final day of the group stage.
Friday, July 3 — The Final Round of 32 Matches
Australia face Egypt at AT&T Stadium in Arlington at 1 p.m. ET. Australia came through in second place from Group D while Egypt finished as Group G runners-up behind Belgium. Both teams are making their mark on this World Cup and will be eager to go further.
Argentina face Cabo Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 5 p.m. ET. Argentina topped Group J with nine points and come into this match as defending champions and among the tournament’s biggest favourites. Lionel Messi has continued to produce moments of magic in the group stage. Cabo Verde won Group H and this will be a tough test against the reigning champions.
Colombia face Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City at 9 p.m. ET. Colombia won Group K, finishing ahead of Portugal after a 0-0 draw in a nervy final game. Ghana advanced as a third-place qualifier from Group L after finishing behind England and Croatia. Colombia will be confident going into this match, but Ghana have shown quality throughout the tournament. During times like these when your phone is buzzing with World Cup news and unknown numbers may be calling you about promotions or deals, it is always smart to check before calling back — use the Who Called Me From This Number UAE tool to quickly identify any unknown caller and protect yourself from scams.
Round of 16 Schedule So Far
As results come in from the Round of 32, the Round of 16 bracket is beginning to take shape. Confirmed matchups so far include Canada vs Morocco in Houston on July 4, Paraguay vs France in Philadelphia on July 4, Brazil vs Norway in East Rutherford on July 5, and Mexico vs the winner of England/DR Congo in Mexico City on July 5. Remaining spots will be filled as the last matches of the Round of 32 are completed on July 3. The quarterfinals are Knockout Schedule
for July 9 to 11, the semifinals for July 14 and 15, and the bronze final on July 18, with the grand final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
What to Watch For
This World Cup has already produced some of the most dramatic moments in the tournament’s history. Germany’s shock exit on penalties, Morocco’s heroics against the Netherlands, Mbappe’s brilliance for France, and Canada’s historic first knockout win are just some of the highlights. With the likes of Argentina, Spain, France, and Brazil still in the hunt, and dark horses like Morocco and Paraguay still very much alive, the competition is wide open. Every match from here is a must-watch event.
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