Which teams have qualified for the World Cup 2026 knockouts, round of 32? | World Cup 2026 News
2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage: Format and Qualification Criteria
June 21, 2026 — The knockout bracket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to take shape as teams advance toward the next phase of the tournament.
The knockout stage will commence with the round of 32, scheduled from June 28 to July 3. This marks the first time the World Cup will feature this additional round, resulting from the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.
The format allows the top two teams from each of the 12 groups to progress, along with the eight best third-place teams. Following the round of 32, teams will compete in the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a playoff for third place, with the final set to take place on July 19.
Tournament Schedule:
- Group stage: June 11 to June 27
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarterfinals: July 9-11
- Semifinals: July 14-15
- Bronze medal match: July 18
- Final: July 19
Changes to Tie-Breaker Rules
For the first time, FIFA has implemented a new tie-breaking rule that prioritizes head-to-head records over goal difference for teams that are level on points in the group stage. Haiti and Turkiye have already been eliminated from the tournament, unable to overcome the third-placed teams in their respective groups after losing to them.
Tie-Breaker Criteria
In the event that teams are tied on points, the following criteria will be applied to determine their rankings:
Step One:
- Total points gained in group matches.
- Goal difference in matches between the teams concerned.
- Total goals scored in matches between the teams concerned.
If still tied, the next criteria are:
Step Two:
- Overall goal difference across all group matches.
- Total goals scored across all group matches.
- Conduct score, relating to yellow and red cards.
If teams remain tied, the final criterion will be:
Step Three:
- Ranking according to the most recent FIFA world rankings.
Ranking of Third-Place Teams
The eight best third-placed teams will qualify based on:
- Points gained in all group matches.
- Goal difference in all group matches.
- Total goals scored in all group matches.
- Conduct score related to yellow and red cards.
- Recent FIFA world rankings for teams still equal on points.
Teams Advancing to the Knockout Stage
As of June 21, the following teams have qualified for the round of 32:
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Mexico (Group A): Mexico secured their knockout spot after defeating South Korea 1-0 on June 18. They opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
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United States (Group D): The U.S. advanced following a 2-0 win against Australia on June 19. They previously triumphed over Paraguay with a score of 4-1.
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Germany (Group E): Germany reached the knockout stage with a 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast on June 20. They began their campaign with a notable 7-1 win over Curacao.
Teams Eliminated from the Tournament
The following teams have been eliminated from the World Cup:
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Haiti (Group C): Haiti was the first team sent home after a 3-0 loss to Brazil on June 19. Their World Cup appearance marked their first since 1974.
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Turkiye (Group D): Turkiye followed suit with a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay later on June 19, having lost 2-0 to Australia in their opening match.
As the tournament progresses, teams will vie for a place in the knockout rounds, setting the stage for exciting matchups in the coming weeks.
