Twelve Teams Secure World Cup Round of 32 Spots as Group Stage Ends

Twelve teams have qualified for the round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after the final matches of the group stage on June 24. The expanded tournament sends the top two teams from each of 12 groups plus the eight best third-place sides into the knockout phase, which opens June 28. Mexico finished first in Group A after a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 18.

The United States topped Group D with a 2-0 victory against Australia on June 19. Germany advanced from Group E following a 2-1 result over Ivory Coast on June 20. Argentina secured its place in Group J with a 2-0 win over Austria on June 22, during which Lionel Messi scored twice to reach 18 career World Cup goals, the all-time record.

France advanced from Group I after a 3-0 victory against Iraq the same day, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice. Norway also progressed from Group I after beating Senegal 3-2. Colombia moved on from Group K with a 1-0 win over DR Congo on June 23.

Switzerland finished atop Group B with seven points after a 2-1 victory against Canada on June 24 in Vancouver. Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed qualification as one of the best third-place teams with a 3-1 win over Qatar at Lumen Field in Seattle the same day. Brazil topped Group C after a 3-0 result against Scotland, also on June 24, with Vinicius Junior scoring twice.

South Africa advanced from Group A following a 1-0 win over South Korea. Haiti, Turkiye, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama were eliminated after failing to catch the third-place teams in their groups. Qatar and Czechia were also knocked out on June 24.

FIFA is applying head-to-head results as the first tie-breaker for teams level on points, a change from prior tournaments. The round of 16 is set for July 4-7, quarterfinals for July 9-11, semifinals for July 14-15, the bronze medal match for July 18 and the final for July 19.