World Cup group scenarios 2026: How teams can qualify and advance to Round of 32 knockout bracket

As the World Cup group stage enters its second round of matches, some nations will be booking their places in the knockout stages, while others will be heading home.

The new tournament format means most routes to the latter stages will remain open heading into the third round of games.

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At the previous seven World Cups, a 32-team slate was reduced to 16 for the knockout rounds, with the simple equation of the top two from each of the eight four-team groups going through.

Now a 48-team tournament, the top two from each of the 12 groups will be joined by the eight best third-place teams.

It means that we will lose 16 teams at the end of the round-robin phase, with plenty of moving parts to keep track of, especially when it comes to the ranking of the best third-place finishers.

Below is a breakdown of every World Cup group as they stand and what each team needs to progress to the knockout rounds or avoid early elimination.

JUMP TO GROUP: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L

World Cup bracket 2026

World Cup Group A standings and scenarios

Pos	Team	PTS	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD
1.	Mexico - Q	6	2	2	0	0	3	0	+3
2.	South Korea	3	2	1	1	0	2	2	0
3.	Czechia	1	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1
4.	South Africa	1	2	0	1	1	1	3	-2

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Mexico

Has qualified as group winner with a win over South Korea 

South Korea

Will qualify as second-place team with win or tie vs South Africa

South Africa

Is still alive to qualify as second-placel with win over Mexico and and South Korea loss to Czechia.

Czechia

Is still alive to qualify as second-place with win over South Korea and and South Africa loss or draw to Mexico. 

Group A schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Thu, June 11	Mexico 2, South Africa 0	FINAL
Thu, June 11	South Korea 2, Czechia 1	FINAL
Thu, June 18	Czechia 1, South Africa 1	FINAL
Thu, June 18	Mexico 1, South Korea 0	FINAL
Fri, June 24	Czechia vs. Mexico	9 p.m.
Fri, June 24	South Africa vs. South Korea	9 p.m.

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World Cup Group B standings and scenarios

Pos.	Team	PTS	GP	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD
1.	Canada	4	2	1	0	1	7	1	+6
2.	Switzerland	4	2	1	0	1	5	2	+3
3.	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1	2	0	1	1	2	5	-3
4.	Qatar	1	2	0	1	1	1	7	-6

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Canada and Switzerland 

Canada and Switzerland are tied atop the group with four points apiece. The two teams are set to face each other next with first place on the line. Switzerland must win to finish atop the group because Canada holds the goal-differential advantage. Canada will secure first place with either a win or a draw.

Bosnia and Qatar 

It's not mathematically impossible for either team to finish second in the group, but that would require significant help in the goal-differential tiebreaker. That said, the two countries are set to face each other in the final group-stage match, and the loser still stands a solid chance of advancing as a third-place finisher.

Group B schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Fri, June 12	Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1	3 p.m.
Sat, June 13	Qatar 1, Switzerland 1	3 p.m.
Thu, June 18	Switzerland 4, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1	3 p.m.
Thu, June 18	Canada 6, Qatar 0	6 p.m.
Fri, June 24	Switzerland vs. Canada	3 p.m.
Fri, June 24	Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar	3 p.m.

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World Cup Group C standings and scenarios

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1.	Brazil	4	2	1	0	1	4	1	+3
2.	Morocco	4	2	1	0	1	2	1	+1
3.	Scotland	3	2	1	1	0	1	1	0
4.	Haiti - E	0	2	0	2	0	0	4	-4

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Morocco

Will be through with a win or draw in their final group stage match against Haiti.

Scotland

Will be through to the knockout rounds with a victory in final group stage match against Brazil

Haiti

Eliminated with 3-0 loss to Brazil

Brazil

Will get through with draw or win vs. Scotland

Group C schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Sat, June 13	Brazil 1, Morocco 1	6 p.m.
Sat, June 13	Scotland 1, Haiti 0	9 p.m.
Fri, June 19	Morocco 1, Scotland 0	6 p.m.
Fri, June 19	Brazil 3, Haiti 0	8:30 p.m.
Wed, June 24	Scotland vs. Brazil	6 p.m.
Wed, June 24	Morocco vs. Haiti	6 p.m.

---

World Cup Group D standings and scenarios

PosTeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1.	United States - Q	6	2	2	0	0	6	1	+5
2.	Australia	3	2	1	1	0	2	2	0
3.	Paraguay	3	2	1	1	0	1	2	-1
4.	Turkey - E	0	2	0	2	0	1	5	-4

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

United States

Won Group D and qualified for the knockout rounds after beating Australia 2-0 and Turkey's loss to Paraguay.

Australia

Clinched a spot in the knockout round with Turkey's loss to Paraguay. Can finish second in Group D with a win against Paraguay.

Paraguay

Clinched a spot in the knockout round with win against Turkey. Can finish second in Group D with a win against Australia.

Turkey

Eliminated after 1-0 loss to Paraguay

Group D schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Fri, June 12	United States 4,  Paraguay 1	9 p.m.
Sat, June 13	Australia 2, Turkey 0	12 a.m.
Fri, June 19	United States 2, Australia 0	3 p.m.
Fri, June 19	Paraguay 1, Turkey 0	11 p.m.
Thu, June 25	Turkey vs. United States	10 p.m.
Thu, June 25	Paraguay vs. Australia	10 p.m.

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World Cup Group E standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Germany	3	1	1	0	0	7	1	+6
2. Ivory Coast	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1
3. Ecuador	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	-1
4. Curacao	0	1	0	1	0	1	7	-6

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Germany

Will qualify as group winners if they beat the Ivory Coast and Ecuador does not beat Curacao.

Ivory Coast

Will qualify as group winners if they beat Germany and Curacao does not beat Ecuador.

Ecuador

Will be eliminated if they lose to Curacao and Germany avoids defeat against the Ivory Coast

Curacao 

Will be eliminated if they lose to Ecuador and the Ivory Coast avoids defeat against Germany.

Group E schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Sun, June 14	Germany 7, Curacao 1	1 p.m.
Sun, June 14	Ivory Coast 1, Ecuador 0	7 p.m.
Sat, June 20	Germany vs. Ivory Coast	4 p.m.
Sat, June 20	Ecuador vs. Curacao	8 p.m.
Thu, June 25	Curacao vs. Ivory Coast	4 p.m.
Thu, June 25	Ecuador vs. Germany	4 p.m.

---

World Cup Group F standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Sweden	3	1	1	0	0	5	1	+4
2. Japan	1	1	0	0	1	2	2	0
3. Netherlands	1	1	0	0	1	2	2	0
4. Tunisia	0	1	0	1	0	1	5	-4

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Sweden

Will qualify with a victory over the Netherlands. Will go through as group winners if they beat the Dutch and Japan does not beat Tunisia.

Tunisia

Will be eliminated if they lose to Japan and the Netherlands beat Sweden.

Netherlands and Japan

Neither can be eliminated nor guaranteed qualification after their opening match finished 2-2.

Group F schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Sun, June 14	Netherlands 2, Japan 2	4 p.m.
Sun, June 14	Sweden 5, Tunisia 1	10 p.m.
Sat, June 20	Netherlands vs. Sweden	1 p.m.
Sat, June 20	Tunisia vs. Japan	12 a.m.
Thu, June 25	Japan vs. Sweden	6 p.m.
Thu, June 25	Tunisia vs. Netherlands	6 p.m.

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World Cup Group G standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Iran	1	1	0	0	1	2	2	0
2. New Zealand	1	1	0	0	1	2	2	0
3. Belgium	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0
4. Egypt	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Iran, New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt

After each game in the first round of matches finished all square, no team can qualify or be eliminated in their second match. Any team that takes at least four points from their next two matches (a win and a draw) will be guaranteed a top-two spot.

Group G schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Mon, June 15	Belgium 1, Egypt 1	3 p.m.
Mon, June 15	Iran 2, New Zealand 2	9 p.m.
Sun, June 21	Belgium vs. Iran	3 p.m.
Sun, June 21	New Zealand vs. Egypt	9 p.m.
Fri, June 26	Egypt vs. Iran	11 p.m.
Fri, June 26	New Zealand vs. Belgium	11 p.m.

---

World Cup Group H standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Uruguay	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0
2. Saudi Arabia	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0
3. Spain	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0
4. Cape Verde	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Cape Verde

After each game in the first round of matches finished all square, no team can qualify or be eliminated in their second match. Any team that takes at least four points from their next two matches (a win and a draw) will be guaranteed a top-two spot.

Group H schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Mon, June 15	Spain 0, Cape Verde 0	12 p.m.
Mon, June 15	Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1	6 p.m.
Sun, June 21	Spain vs. Saudi Arabia	12 p.m.
Sun, June 21	Uruguay vs. Cape Verde	6 p.m.
Fri, June 26	Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia	8 p.m.
Fri, June 26	Uruguay vs. Spain	8 p.m.

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World Cup Group I standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Norway	3	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3
2. France	3	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
3. Senegal	0	1	0	1	0	1	3	-2
4. Iraq	0	1	0	1	0	1	4	-3

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Norway, France, Senegal and Iraq

Norway and France, as the two winners from the first matches, playing the two defeated teams next means that no qualification or elimination matters can be decisively settled in the forthcoming round of fixtures.

Group I schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Tue, June 16	France 3, Senegal 1	3 p.m.
Tue, June 16	Norway 4, Iraq 1	6 p.m.
Mon, June 22	France vs. Iraq	5 p.m.
Mon, June 22	Norway vs. Senegal	8 p.m.
Fri, June 26	Norway vs. France	3 p.m.
Fri, June 26	Senegal vs. Iraq	3 p.m.

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World Cup Group J standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Argentina	3	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3
2. Austria	3	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
3. Jordan	0	1	0	1	0	1	3	-2
4. Algeria	0	1	0	1	0	0	3	-3

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Argentina

Will qualify as group winners if they beat Austria and Jordan does not beat Algeria.

Austria

Will qualify as group winners if they beat Argentina and Algeria does not beat Jordan.

Jordan

Will be eliminated if they lose to Algeria and Argentina avoids defeat against Austria.

Algeria

Will be eliminated if they lose to Jordan and the Austria avoids defeat against Argentina.

Group J schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Tue, June 16	Argentina 3, Algeria 0	9 p.m.
Tue, June 16	Austria 3, Jordan 1	12 a.m.
Mon, June 22	Argentina vs. Austria	1 p.m.
Mon, June 22	Jordan vs. Algeria	11 p.m.
Sat, June 27	Algeria vs. Austria	10 p.m.
Sat, June 27	Jordan vs. Argentina	10 p.m.

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World Cup Group K standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. Colombia	3	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
2. DR Congo	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0
3. Portugal	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	0
4. Uzbekistan	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	-2

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

Colombia

Will qualify as group winners if they beat DR Congo.

DR Congo and Portugal

Neither can be eliminated nor guaranteed qualification after their opening match finished 1-1.

Uzbekistan

Will be eliminated if they lose to Portugal and DR Congo defeats Colombia.

Group K schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Wed, June 17	Portugal 1, DR Congo 1	1 p.m.
Wed, June 17	Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1	10 p.m.
Tue, June 23	Portugal vs. Uzbekistan	1 p.m.
Tue, June 23	Colombia vs. DR Congo	10 p.m.
Sat, June 27	Colombia vs. Portugal	7:30 p.m.
Sat, June 27	DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan	7:30 p.m.

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World Cup Group L standings and scenarios

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD

1. England	3	1	1	0	0	4	2	+2
2. Ghana	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1
3. Panama	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	-1
4. Croatia	0	1	0	1	0	2	4	-2

• Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
• E = Eliminated

England

Will qualify as group winners if they beat Ghana and Croatia defeats Panama.

Ghana

Will qualify as group winners if they beat England and Panama defeats Croatia.

Panama

Will be eliminated if they lose to Croatia and England defeats Ghana.

Croatia

Will be eliminated if they lose to Panama and Ghana defeats England.

Group L schedule, results

Date	Match	Time (ET)
Wed, June 17	England 4, Croatia 2	4 p.m.
Wed, June 17	Ghana 1, Panama 0	7 p.m.
Tue, June 23	England vs. Ghana	4 p.m.
Tue, June 23	Panama vs. Croatia	7 p.m.
Sat, June 27	Panama vs. England	5 p.m.
Sat, June 27	Croatia vs. Ghana	5 p.m.

World Cup 2026 group stage tiebreakers

1. Total goals scored: whichever team scores the most goals in the group stage.
2. Head-to-head points: most points in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
3. Head-to-head goal difference: the highest margin of goals scored/against in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
4. Head-to-head goals scored: most goals in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
5. Highest team conduct score: a score that is diminished as team players/personnel get carded.
6. Higher FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking: the team with the higher international team rank will move on. If the teams somehow have the same ranking, the most recent past edition of the rankings will be examined.