World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Commences
The World Cup 2026 group stage is nearing its conclusion, with the knockout rounds and potential paths to the final on July 19 beginning to emerge. The tournament’s expansion to 48 teams includes a Round of 32 before the traditional Last 16 stage. This new format means the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage will join the 24 group winners and runners-up in the knockout phase.
As of Friday, June 26, 19 teams had secured their places in the knockout phase. The competition for the remaining spots, particularly among third-placed teams, is intense, with goal difference potentially playing a decisive role. Teams with four points are practically assured of progress, while those with three points have a 43.8% chance of advancing, according to tournament simulations.
Several teams have already confirmed their spots in the Round of 32. These include Mexico as Group A winners, South Africa as Group A runners-up, Switzerland as Group B winners, and Canada as Group B runners-up. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecuador, and Sweden have also secured their progression as some of the best third-placed teams.
Other confirmed qualifiers include Brazil (Group C winners), Morocco (Group C runners-up), United States (Group D winners), Australia (Group D runners-up), Germany (Group E winners), Ivory Coast (Group E runners-up), Netherlands (Group F winners), Japan (Group F runners-up), Argentina (Group J winners), Colombia (Group K top-two), France (Group I top-two), and Norway (Group I top-two).
Confirmed Last 32 Fixtures
The schedule for the Round of 32 features several confirmed matchups. On Sunday, June 28, South Africa will play Canada in Los Angeles, USA. The following day, Monday, June 29, will see Brazil take on Japan in Houston, USA, and Germany face a third-placed team from Group A/B/C/D/F in Foxborough, USA.
Tuesday, June 30, includes a match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, Mexico. Also on that day, Ivory Coast will play the Group I runners-up in Arlington, USA, and the Group I winners will meet a third-placed team from Group C/D/F/G/H in New Jersey, USA. Mexico will also be in action against a third-placed team from Group C/E/F/H/I in Mexico City, Mexico.
The matches continue into Wednesday, July 1, with the Group L winners playing a third-placed team from Group E/H/I/J/K in Atlanta, USA. The United States will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Santa Clara, USA, and the Group G winners will play a third-placed team from Group A/E/H/I/J in Seattle, USA.
On Thursday, July 2, the Group K runners-up will meet the Group L runners-up in Toronto, Canada. The Group H winners will play the Group J runners-up in Los Angeles, USA, and Switzerland will face a third-placed team from Group E/F/G/I/J in Vancouver, Canada.
The Round of 32 concludes on Friday, July 3, with Argentina playing the Group H runners-up in Miami, USA. The Group K winners will compete against a third-placed team from Group D/E/I/J/L in Kansas City, USA, and the Group D runners-up will play the Group G runners-up in Dallas, USA.
Routes to the Final and Key Matchups
While there are still many potential outcomes, early projections suggest some significant matchups in the later stages. France and Germany are currently on course for a Last 16 encounter, as are Portugal and Spain. The path for teams like England is also becoming clearer.
If England tops Group L, their Last 32 match on Wednesday, July 1, would be against a third-placed team from Group E, H, I, J, or K. As it stands, England is projected to face Ecuador in the Last 32. Should they advance, a potential Last 16 tie could be against a third-placed qualifier or co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on Monday, July 6.
Further into the tournament, Brazil could be potential quarter-final opponents for England on Saturday, July 11, with holders Argentina possibly awaiting in the semi-finals. A repeat of Euro 2024, featuring England versus Spain, could occur in the final.
Scotland’s hopes of progressing to the Last 32 as one of the top eight third-placed sides are currently uncertain. They are positioned eighth in the third-place table and face a risk of elimination once the group stage concludes. Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czech Republic, and Curacao have already been eliminated from the tournament.
The final group matches for Group G and Group H are scheduled for Saturday, June 27, with all teams in these groups still having a chance to qualify.
Group Stage Standings and Results
In Group A, Mexico finished with nine points, while South Africa secured four points. South Korea must await their fate in the third-place table, but Czech Republic is out. Switzerland topped Group B with seven points, and Canada secured four points. Bosnia-Herzegovina, also with four points, is in a strong position to advance as a best third-placed team, while Qatar has been knocked out.
Brazil and Morocco both progressed from Group C with seven points each. Scotland’s hopes of qualifying as a best third-placed team are diminishing, and Haiti has been eliminated. In Group D, the United States secured six points, and Australia finished with four points. Paraguay, also with four points, is expected to qualify as a third-placed team.
Germany and Ivory Coast both secured six points in Group E, with Ecuador advancing as a best third-placed team with four points. Curacao has been eliminated. Netherlands topped Group F with seven points, and Japan finished second with five points. Sweden is guaranteed to qualify as a third-placed side with four points and zero goal difference.
Group G remains open, with Egypt currently leading with four points, followed by Belgium and Iran with two points each. New Zealand has one point. In Group H, Spain leads with four points, while Cape Verde and Uruguay both have two points. Saudi Arabia has one point. The final matches for these groups will determine their qualifiers.
In Group I, France and Norway both have six points and have advanced. Argentina leads Group J with six points. Colombia has advanced from Group K with six points. England currently leads Group L with four points, ahead of Ghana, also with four points, and Croatia with three points. Panama has zero points.
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Source: skysports.com
