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The closing matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage have delivered dramatic moments and unexpected twists, and the knockout phase matches are quickly taking shape.
This year’s tournament features an expanded format, with 12 groups competing for a place in the knockout stage. The top two teams from each group automatically advance, while the eight best third-place finishers across all groups also move forward. This structure has introduced even more tension and unpredictability, as several teams’ fate now depends not only on their own performances but also on the results from other groups.
As Groups J, K, and L play out their final matches, the stakes could not be higher for the teams hovering near the cutoff. For these squads, the outcome of each remaining game carries enormous significance, with their World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance.
Below is an updated list of the nations that have already punched their ticket to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what their round of 32 match could look like.
More: Cape Verde rejoices as Cinderella run continues into World Cup knockout rounds
Fixtures according to fifa.com:
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which World Cup teams made round of 32? Bracket, schedule for knockout round
Continue reading...
This year’s tournament features an expanded format, with 12 groups competing for a place in the knockout stage. The top two teams from each group automatically advance, while the eight best third-place finishers across all groups also move forward. This structure has introduced even more tension and unpredictability, as several teams’ fate now depends not only on their own performances but also on the results from other groups.
As Groups J, K, and L play out their final matches, the stakes could not be higher for the teams hovering near the cutoff. For these squads, the outcome of each remaining game carries enormous significance, with their World Cup aspirations hanging in the balance.
Below is an updated list of the nations that have already punched their ticket to the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what their round of 32 match could look like.
More: Cape Verde rejoices as Cinderella run continues into World Cup knockout rounds
Teams that qualified for the round of 32
- Group A: Mexico, South Africa
- Group B: Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco
- Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay
- Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt
- Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde
- Group I: France, Norway, Senegal
- Group J: Argentina
- Group K: Colombia, Portugal
- Group L: England, Ghana
2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 fixtures
Fixtures according to fifa.com:
Sunday, June 28:
- South Africa vs. Canada - Los Angeles Stadium
Monday, June 29:
- Germany vs. Paraguay - Boston Stadium
- Netherlands vs. Morocco - Estadio Monterrey
- Brazil vs. Japan - Houston Stadium
Tuesday, June 30:
- France vs. Sweden - New York New Jersey Stadium
- Ivory Coast vs. Norway - Dallas Stadium
- Mexico vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place - Mexico City Stadium
Wednesday, July 1:
- Group L winners vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place - Atlanta Stadium
- USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- Belgium vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place - Seattle Stadium
Thursday, July 2:
- Group K runners-up vs. Group L runners-up - Toronto Stadium
- Spain vs. Group J runners-up - Los Angeles Stadium
- Switzerland vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place - BC Place Vancouver
Friday, July 3:
- Argentina vs. Cabo Verde - Miami Stadium
- Group K winners vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place - Kansas City Stadium
- Australia vs. Egypt - Dallas Stadium
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which World Cup teams made round of 32? Bracket, schedule for knockout round
Continue reading...
