World Cup 2026: Which teams have qualified for the last 32 and who could they face?

The 2026 World Cup has kicked off in spectacular fashion, serving up a series of historic shocks that will be debated for years. As the group games conclude, the knockout picture has come into focus.

The top two nations in the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed sides, booked their knockout berth.

The round of 32 gets underway on June 28th and unfolds across a breathless week, wrapping up on July 3rd. Once the tournament shifts to win-or-go-home mode, anything can happen.

Discover who has booked their ticket and who is heading home as the planet’s biggest sporting event enters its do-or-die phase.

Which teams have qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds?

Group A: Mexico, South Africa

Mexico not only got the tournament underway on home soil, but were also the first team to book their spot in the knockouts. The World Cup co-hosts kicked off Group A in style. El Tri comfortably beat South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca, before edging past dark horses South Korea with a 1-0 victory. They capped a fantastic group journey, beating Czechia 3-0 on the final day to finish top.

South Africa surprised doubters with a heroic 1-0 win over dark horses South Korea, who had drawn attention after a superb opening day win over Czech Republic. South Africa finish in second position thanks to the win, also qualifying for their maiden World Cup knockout stage.

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Switzerland stunned the Vancouver crowd by beating Canada 2-1, thus topping Group B with seven points. They remain unbeaten in three group games, drawing one. The victory in Vancouver means they are now unbeaten in 17 of their last 19 World Cup group stage matches.

Canada had to win the tie against Switzerland in their final group game. But they succumbed to two early second-half goals, with Promise David’s late equaliser proving only a consolation at the end. They lose their home advantage by finishing second in the group – Los Angeles awaits them for their last 32 tie.

Bosnia zoomed to a 3-1 win over Qatar in their final do-or-die group game. The win ensures they finish third behind Switzerland and Canada on three points. Sergej Barbarez’s side make it to their first ever World Cup knockout round after their previously failed attempt in their debut in 2014.

Group C: Brazil, Morocco

Brazil failed to impress in their opener against Morocco, but quickly bounced back with a 3-0 win over Haiti. Scotland then faced the Selecao’s wrath, succumbing to another 3-0 result. Led by Vinicius Junior, Brazil will face Japan in the round of 32.

The Atlas Lions were dealt a scare against Haiti and ultimately needed Achraf Hakimi to lead them to a 4-2 victory in their final group game. The finish second, after an opening 1-1 draw with Brazil followed by a 1-0 win over Scotland.

Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay

In a fitting scenario as co-hosts, the United States of America were the second team to secure a knockout berth. After two games in Group D, beating Paraguay and Australia 4-1 and 2-0 respectively, the Stars and Stripes confirmed their standing as group winners.

A goalless draw with Australia on the final matchday in Group D sufficed for Paraguay, who have also advanced as one of the best third-placed nations, while Australia went through in second spot.

Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Germany sealed their knockout spot for the first time since 2014 after beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in their penultimate Group E outing. Earlier, they had subjected tournament debutants Curacao to a 7-1 thrashing, the biggest win so far. They were the first European nation to progress.

The Elephants needed a final-day victory against tournament debutant Curacao and that’s exactly what they got. Nicolas Pepe’s brace on either side of half-time ensured their maiden progression to the knockout rounds as the second-best side in Group E.

Another major upset occurred in the final round of matches, as Ecuador came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 at the MetLife Stadium, finishing third in Group E. Gonzalo Plata’s 77th minute winner will go down in history books, having secured the nation’s first-ever knockout appearance at the World Cup.

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden

Group F followed the status quo. The Netherlands took first place, after finishing unbeaten in the group stages. They beat Tunisia in their final group game to secure top spot.

Meanwhile, Japan finished in second spot, after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on the final day. Sweden progress as one of the highest-ranked third-placed nations.

Group G: Belgium, Egypt

By virtue of battering New Zealand 5-1 on the final day, Belgium progressed to the last 32 as Group G winners.

Surviving a last-gasp scare against Iran in a 1-1 draw, Egypt will play in the World Cup knockouts for the first time since the group stage was introduced, while their opponents are still facing an anxious wait.

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde

Bouncing back from a disappointing 0-0 draw with Cape Verde first up, Spain thumped Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second match. They finally edged out Uruguay to qualify as Group H winners, eliminating the Celeste along the way.

The story of the World Cup so far, Cape Verde completed an unbeaten group stage by drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia and incredibly nabbing second spot in Group H. They will face reigning world champions Argentina.

Group I: France, Norway, Senegal

Tournament favourites France secured their place in the knockout rounds with a 3-0 victory over Iraq, inspired by a Kylian Mbappe brace. The Real Madrid forward also scored twice in Les Bleus' opening 3-1 win against Senegal, taking his tally to four goals from the first two Group I matches.

Returning to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, Norway impressed by winning both of their first two Group I matches. They beat Iraq 4-1 and Senegal 3-2, thanks to a set of Erling Haaland's doubles, to join France in the knockout rounds.

Senegal were left waiting to learn whether their 5-0 win over Iraq would be enough to send them through to the World Cup knockouts as one of the best third-placed nations, and thankfully for the deposed AFCON champions, it was.

Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in Argentina's Group J opener against Algeria before following it up with a brace against Austria, helping the defending champions secure their place in the knockout rounds with two consecutive victories. The Albiceleste won 3-1 against Jordan in their final group game.

The other Group J clash recalled the historically controversial ‘Disgrace of Gijon' in 1982, when Austria and West Germany played out a mutually beneficial result at the expense of Algeria's progression. Algeria failed to beat Austria in their final group game though. Michael Gregoristsch helped the Europeans salvage a late point with a 96th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw for both teams to progress.

Group K: Colombia, Portugal, DR Congo

Colombia sealed their place in the last 32 by maintaining a perfect record in Group K with a final day goalless draw with Portugal. They finish top of the group, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and co., after winning two of their three group games.

In the other match, Uzbekistan, in their first-ever World Cup appearance, tasted elimination, as DR Congo came from a goal down to heroically win 3-1 in Atalanta. The Leopards' made history with their maiden victory at a World Cup/

Group L: England, Ghana, Croatia

Before the final round of fixtures in Group L kicked off, England and Ghana were already assured of their last-32 spots, as they rank as one of the eight best third-placed teams even in the worst-case scenario.

Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 on the final day to progress as they finished second with the victory. England beat Panama in the other game, ensuring the Central Americans exit the tournament without a point.