The 2026 World Cup is now formally in its second week, and a few groups are beginning to play their second matches of group play.
Which suggests some groups are already clinching spots within the knockout spherical.
With the World Cup increasing to 48 groups for the 2026 version, the knockout spherical begins with the Spherical of 32, as a substitute of the acquainted Spherical of 16. That implies that, past the highest two groups in every group advancing to the knockout portion of the match, the eight greatest third-place groups are additionally advancing. We’re monitoring the third-place standings right here in case you are seeking to see what groups are nonetheless within the working regardless of sitting in third place.
So far as groups which have clinched, learn on.
Mexico turned the primary crew to ebook a spot within the Spherical of 32, due to Thursday evening’s 1-0 win over South Korea. Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa, and when South Africa and Czechia performed to a 1-1 draw earlier within the day, it opened the door for the winner of Thursday evening’s match to win Group A.
After a scoreless first half, Luis Romo took benefit of a miscue from South Korea keeper Kim Seung-gyu, who collided with a teammate within the field and misplaced the ball, giving Romo an opportunity to present Mexico the lead.
Then the hero was Raúl Rangel, as Mexico’s keeper made a pair of sensible saves within the closing levels to disclaim South Korea the equalizer:
El Tri aren’t solely the winners of Group A and set to play a third-place crew from Group C/E/F/H/I, however they can even keep in Mexico for the Spherical of 32, as that match shall be held in Mexico Metropolis.
One host crew turned the primary nation to ebook a spot within the Spherical of 32 on Thursday evening, when Mexico’s win over South Korea secured Group A.
Friday, america joined them because the second crew via to the Spherical of 32.
The two-0 win over Australia ensures that america will end as one of many high two groups in Group D. And by the tip of the evening, america will be the winners of Group D, relying on how the late match between Paraguay and Türkiye finishes. If Türkiye lose or draw towards Paraguay, then america will win Group D, and be locked right into a match towards a third-place crew within the Spherical of 32.
The two-0 win was additionally the USMNT’s first shutout since a 2-0 win in a pleasant towards Japan final September.
Replace: With Paraguay profitable on Friday evening, america clinched Group D.
Germany’s 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast on Saturday clinched a spot within the knockout spherical as one of many high two groups out of Group E. Ivory Coast scored first, taking a 1-0 lead within the thirtieth minute on a Franck Kessié objective. They carried that lead into the second half earlier than Deniz Undav evened it at 1 within the 68th minute. A draw appeared doubtless earlier than Undav managed one other objective within the fourth minute of stoppage time.
They received Group E later within the night when Curaçao managed a draw towards Ecuador. It marked the primary time Curaçao has earned a degree within the World Cup. Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves, which is essentially the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since data started in 1966.
Lionel Messi made historical past on Monday towards Austria, as his left-footed strike put the dwelling legend atop the record of all-time objective scorers in World Cup historical past.
It additionally clinched a spot within the Spherical of 32 for Argentina.
With the 2-0 win – Messi added a second objective late within the contest to ice the match – Argentina is assured to complete in one of many high two spots in Group J, and a go to to the knockout spherical awaits. Argentina may clinch the group later tonight, and a match towards a third-place crew, if Jordan loses or attracts towards Algeria within the different match in Group J as we speak.
Replace: With Jordan’s loss to Algeria, Algeria has clinched Group J.
It took a little bit longer than anticipated, because of a prolonged climate delay, however France punched their ticket to the Spherical of 32 with a convincing win 3-0 towards Iraq in Philadelphia.
Kylian Mbappé’s first objective of the match, coming within the first half, was all France would want on at the present time. However following an extended halftime break, Mbappé and firm added two extra within the second half, because the French star continued climbing the report books.
France is now assured a spot within the Spherical of 32 as one of many high two groups out of Group I. However they can not clinch the group till their closing match of group play, once they tackle Erling Haaland and Norway later this week.
Replace: Friday’s 4-1 win over Norway clinched the highest spot within the Spherical of 32 for France.
Norway certified for the World Cup for the primary time since 1998, and now they’re via to the Spherical of 32 due to Monday’s 3-2 win over Senegal.
Erling Haaland’s first objective of the match gave Norway a 2-0 lead, however Senegal clawed a objective again, due to a stunning little bit of talent from Ismaïla Sarr. However Haaland scored once more, a right-footed deflection after a splendid response and switch, giving Norway a 3-1 lead within the second half.
Norway is assured to be one of many high two groups out of Group I, however the job isn’t achieved. Friday’s heavyweight conflict with France will decide the winner of the group. If there’s a winner of that match, that crew will declare Group I. If the match ends in a draw it is going to be determined by tiebreakers, the place in the meanwhile France has the benefit.
Replace: Friday’s loss to France locked Norway in because the second-place crew out of Group I.
Colombia’s 1-0 win over DR Congo late Tuesday clinched a spot within the Spherical of 32. Colombia heads to the ultimate day of group play in Group Ok assured to complete as one of many high two groups within the group.
Colombia can nonetheless win the group and ebook a spot towards a third-place crew within the Spherical of 32, with a win or a draw towards Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal subsequent Saturday.
Rubén Vargas discovered the again of the web nearly instantly after halftime, giving Switzerland a 1-0 lead over Canada.
That put the Swiss on a path to profitable Group B, and a objective from Johan Manzambi within the 57th minute gave Switzerland a two-goal lead, and finally held as much as clinch each the match, and Group B, for Switzerland.
The Swiss will now get to remain in Vancouver, as they may meet a third-place crew from Group E, F, G, I or J in the identical stadium on July 2.
Canada started play on Tuesday needing a win or a draw towards Switzerland to win Group B, however targets from Rubén Vargas and Johan Manzambi early within the second half propelled Switzerland to a 2-1 victory. Promise David discovered the again of the web with a stunning first-touch objective together with his proper foot within the 76th minute, however Canada couldn’t full the comeback.
Even with the loss, Canada clinched the second spot in Group B due to the objective differential tiebreaker towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, who beat Qatar. Which means Canada finishes second within the group, and they’re going to tackle the second-place crew from Group A, which shall be decided later Wednesday evening.
Brazil booked a spot within the Spherical of 32 with Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Brazil. A pair of first-half targets from Vini Jr. gave Brazil a 2-0 lead on the halftime break, and Matheus Cunha scored within the sixtieth minute to supply some insurance coverage.
As well as, Neymar got here off the bench to exchange Cunha within the 76th minute, for his first motion of this World Cup.
The win was additionally sufficient to clinch the highest spot in Group C, as Brazil’s objective differential was sufficient to complete above Morocco. As such, Brazil will meet the second-place crew from Group F – both the Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden – within the Spherical of 32.
Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti was not sufficient to catch Brazil in Group C, however the aspect strikes on to the Spherical of 32 because the second-place crew within the group. They may face the winners of Group F in Monterrey on June 29.
In maybe the largest twist of Wednesday’s motion South Africa clinched the second spot in Group A.
For the primary time, South Africa is heading to the knockout spherical. Regardless of coming into Wednesday’s matches sitting in fourth place in Group A, their 1-0 win over South Korea gave them an opportunity to advance because the second-place crew within the group. Then, when Mexico beat Czechia, it locked up that second spot.
South Africa will face the second-place crew from Group B within the Spherical of 32.
With a 2-0 win over Curaçao, Ivory Coast clinched the second spot in Group E. They may face the runner-up in Group I, which can doubtless come all the way down to the large tilt between Norway and France later this week.
Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany was sufficient for the South American aspect to develop into the primary crew to ebook a spot within the Spherical of 32 as a third-place crew. The win moved Ecuador to the highest of the standings amongst third-place groups, forward of Bosnia and Herzegovina on tiebreakers because of objective differential.
Even when the remaining third-place groups all win their matches, Ecuador will solely drop to eighth among the many third-place groups, sufficient to advance to the Spherical of 32.
Because of a 3-1 win over Tunisia, the Netherlands clinched the win in Group F. They may face Morocco within the Spherical of 32, the second-place crew from Group C.
Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden was sufficient to clinch second place in Group F for the Samurai Blue. Up subsequent for Japan? A date with Brazil within the Spherical of 32.
Sweden turned the second crew to clinch a spot within the knockout spherical as a third-place crew, after Ecuador did earlier on Thursday. With 4 factors, a objective differential of zero, and 7 general targets, Sweden is now atop the third-place groups within the standings and assured to complete among the many high eight third-place groups.
They may await on an opponent within the Spherical of 32.
One other third-place crew has been confirmed, as Bosnia and Herzegovina is now via to the Spherical of 32. They’re the doubtless opponent for the USMNT within the knockout spherical.
Australia’s 0-0 draw with Paraguay on Thursday evening clinched the second spot in Group D. Australia will face the second-place crew from Group G within the Spherical of 32 in Dallas on July 3.
Alex Baena’s objective within the forty second minute held up because the game-winning objective in Guadalajara, as Spain defeated Uruguay 1-0 to clinch the highest spot in Group H.
Tempers flared in stoppage time on the finish of the match, as Uruguay noticed their World Cup run approaching the tip. However regardless of Uruguay throwing every little thing they might ahead in hopes of discovering the equalizer, Spain held on, and can transfer on to the Spherical of 32.
Spain will play the second-place crew from Group J.
The dream run continues for the Blue Sharks.
Cabo Verde completed degree with Saudi Arabia, however the three factors for Cabo Verde – coupled with Uruguay’s loss to Spain – was sufficient to clinch second place for the third-smallest nation within the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cabo Verde will tackle Argentina within the Spherical of 32, down in Miami.
Belgium’s 5-1 win over New Zealand on Friday evening was sufficient to clinch the highest spot in Group G. They may now wait on a third-place crew from Group A, E, H, I or J within the Spherical of 32, and a date with america could possibly be within the playing cards within the Spherical of 16.
Egypt at risk, after Iran scored late within the match to take a 2-1 lead in stoppage time. However a VAR evaluation took the objective off the board because of an offside ruling, and the eventual 1-1 draw was sufficient to see Egypt via because the second-place crew in Group G. They may face Australia, the second-place crew from Group D, within the Spherical of 32.
Senegal is now confirmed within the Spherical of 32 a s a third-place crew.
England received Group L after beating Panama 2-0 of their third group match. They advance to face a third-place crew within the spherical of 32.
Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to say second place in Group L. They may face the runner-up from Group Ok within the spherical of 32.
Ghana misplaced 2-1 to Croatia however had already secured sufficient factors to advance as a third-place squad. They may face the winner of Group Ok within the spherical of 32.
Colombia’s draw with Portugal was sufficient to clinch the highest spot in Group Ok.
Portugal is thru to the Spherical of 32 because the second-place crew out of Group Ok.
DR Congo’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan was sufficient to clinch a spot within the Spherical of 32 as a third-place crew.
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