The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the 23rd edition of the tournament and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format. Co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, it runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 venues in 11 host cities. This historic edition marks the largest World Cup ever, with 104 matches in total, significantly more than previous tournaments.
The new structure divides the 48 teams into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group automatically advance, joined by the eight best third-placed teams.
This creates a round of 32 knockout stage, making the path to the final more competitive and giving more underdogs a realistic shot at glory. The knockout phase begins on June
28 and culminates in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
As the group stage nears its conclusion, the picture for the knockout rounds is taking shape. Several groups have already finished, while others are in their decisive final rounds. Below is the latest status of teams advancing to the round of 32 and the known or projected matchups.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Current Group Standings
Group A (Completed)
- 1. Mexico - 3 wins, 9 pts (+6 GD)
- 2. South Africa - 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 pts (-1 GD)
- 3. South Korea - 1 win, 2 losses, 3 pts (-1 GD)
- 4. Czechia - 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 1 pt (-4 GD)
Group B (Completed)
- 1. Switzerland - 2 wins, 1 draw, 7 pts (+4 GD)
- 2. Canada - 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 pts (+5 GD)
- 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 pts (-1 GD)
- 4. Qatar - 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 1 pt (-8 GD)
Group C (Completed)
- 1. Brazil - 2 wins, 1 draw, 7 pts (+6 GD)
- 2. Morocco - 2 wins, 1 draw, 7 pts (+3 GD)
- 3. Scotland - 1 win, 2 losses, 3 pts (-3 GD)
- 4. Haiti - 0 wins, 3 losses, 0 pts (-6 GD)
Group D (Matches remaining)
- 1. United States - 2 wins, 6 pts (+5 GD)
- 2. Australia - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (0 GD)
- 3. Paraguay - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (-2 GD)
- 4. TÜrkiye - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-3 GD)
Group E (Completed)
- 1. Germany - 2 wins, 1 loss, 6 pts (+6 GD)
- 2. Côte d'Ivoire - 2 win, 1 loss, 6 pts (+1 GD)
- 3. Ecuador - 1 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 4 pts (0 GD)
- 4. CuraÇao - 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 loss, 1 pt (-8 GD)
Group F (Matches remaining)
- 1. Netherlands - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+4 GD)
- 2. Japan - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+4 GD)
- 3. Sweden - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (0 GD)
- 4. Tunisia - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-8 GD)
Group G (Matches remaining)
- 1. Egypt - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+2 GD)
- 2. IR Iran - 0 wins, 2 draws, 2 pts (0 GD)
- 3. Belgium - 0 wins, 2 draws, 2 pts (0 GD)
- 4. New Zealand - 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 1 pt (-2 GD)
Group H (Matches remaining)
- 1. Spain - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+4 GD)
- 2. Uruguay - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+1 GD)
- 3. Cabo Verde - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (-1 GD)
- 4. Saudi Arabia - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-2 GD)
Group I (Matches remaining)
- 1. France - 2 wins, 6 pts (+5 GD)
- 2. Norway - 2 wins, 6 pts (+4 GD)
- 3. Senegal - 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 1 pt (-1 GD)
- 4. Iraq - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-6 GD)
Group J (Matches remaining)
- 1. Argentina - 2 wins, 6 pts (+5 GD)
- 2. Austria - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (0 GD)
- 3. Algeria - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (-2 GD)
- 4. Jordan - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-3 GD)
Group K (Matches remaining)
- 1. Colombia - 2 wins, 6 pts (+3 GD)
- 2. Portugal - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+5 GD)
- 3. DR Congo - 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 1 pt (-1 GD)
- 4. Uzbekistan - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-7 GD)
Group L (Matches remaining)
- 1. England - 2 wins, 6 pts (+3 GD)
- 2. Ghana - 1 win, 1 draw, 4 pts (+1 GD)
- 3. Croatia - 1 win, 1 loss, 3 pts (-1 GD)
- 4. Panama - 0 wins, 2 losses, 0 pts (-2 GD)
**Points Table updated after Group E conclusion on June 25.
What are the Latest 3rd Place Rankings?
The top eight teams will advance to Round of 32. The rankings are updated after Group E matches on June 25.
| Team | PL | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1. Ecuador | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 4 |
| 3. Sweden | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 4. Croatia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| 5. South Korea | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 6. Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 7. Paraguay | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 8. Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| 9. Cape Verde | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10. Belgium | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11. DR Congo | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 12. Senegal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
Which Teams have Qualified for Knockouts?
Teams that have already mathematically secured a top-two spot in their group (as of latest updates) are -
Group A: Mexico, South Africa
Group B: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco
Group D: USA
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F:
Group G:
Group H:
Group I: France, Norway
Group J: Argentina
Group K: Colombia
Group L:
Which Teams Are Eliminated?
Eliminated or near-eliminated teams include Haiti, Qatar, Curacao, Czechia, TÜrkiye, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Who Face Who?
The bracket is fixed by group positions. Here are the confirmed or placeholder fixtures based on current standings and FIFA's official knockout schedule so far.
- June 28 - Los Angeles Stadium: South Africa (A2) vs Canada (B2)
- June 29 - Boston Stadium: Germany (E1) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from Groups A/B/C/D/F)
- June 29 - Estadio Monterrey: Group F Winner (Netherlands or Japan) vs Morocco (C2)
- June 29 - Houston Stadium: Brazil (C1) vs Group F Runner-up
- June 30 - New York/New Jersey Stadium: Group I Winner vs Best 3rd-placed team (from C/D/F/G/H)
- June 30 - Dallas Stadium: Ivory Coast (E2) vs Group I Runner-up
- June 30 - Mexico City Stadium: Mexico (A1) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from C/E/F/H/I)
- July 1 - Atlanta Stadium: Group L Winner (England or Ghana) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from E/H/I/J/K)
- July 1 - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium: USA (D1) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from B/E/F/I/J)
- July 1 - Seattle Stadium: Group G Winner (Egypt or similar) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from A/E/H/I/J)
- July 2 - Toronto Stadium: Group K Runner-up vs Group L Runner-up
- July 2 - Los Angeles Stadium: Group H Winner (Spain or Uruguay) vs Group J Runner-up
- July 2 - BC Place Vancouver: Switzerland (B1) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from E/F/G/I/J)
- July 3 - Miami Stadium: Argentina (J1) vs Group H Runner-up
- July 3 - Kansas City Stadium: Group K Winner (Colombia or Portugal) vs Best 3rd-placed team (from D/E/I/J/L)
- July 3 - Dallas Stadium: Group D Runner-up vs Group G Runner-up
The remaining Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place match, and final follow the standard single-elimination bracket from these results.
The group stage finale on June 25-27 will finalize all positions and the exact eight best third-placed teams. Once complete, the full round of 32 lineup and precise opponents will be locked in.
