The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage has reached a decisive phase, with several teams securing top spots in their groups and booking places in the Round of 32. The expanded 48-team tournament features 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Argentina, Colombia and England finished as group leaders, while several traditional football powers and surprise packages also progressed.
FIFA World Cup 2026 points table: Group-wise standings
Group A
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Mexico | 9 |
| 2 | South Africa | 4 |
| 3 | South Korea | 3 |
| 4 | Czechia | 1 |
Mexico dominated the group with three wins from three matches, scoring six goals and conceding none.
Group B
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 7 |
| 2 | Canada | 4 |
| 3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4 |
| 4 | Qatar | 1 |
Switzerland topped the group unbeaten, while Canada edged Bosnia and Herzegovina on goal difference.
Group C
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 7 |
| 2 | Morocco | 7 |
| 3 | Scotland | 3 |
| 4 | Haiti | 0 |
Brazil and Morocco finished level on seven points, with Brazil claiming first place on goal difference.
Group D
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | USA | 6 |
| 2 | Australia | 4 |
| 3 | Paraguay | 4 |
| 4 | Türkiye | 3 |
The United States finished atop the standings after winning two of their three group matches.
Group E
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Germany | 6 |
| 2 | Côte d'Ivoire | 6 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 4 |
| 4 | Curaçao | 1 |
Germany secured first place despite finishing level on points with Côte d'Ivoire.
Group F
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 7 |
| 2 | Japan | 5 |
| 3 | Sweden | 4 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 0 |
The Netherlands remained unbeaten to claim top spot, while Japan finished second.
Group G
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 5 |
| 2 | Egypt | 5 |
| 3 | Iran | 3 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 1 |
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Belgium finished ahead of Egypt on goal difference after both teams collected five points.
Group H
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Spain | 7 |
| 2 | Cabo Verde | 3 |
| 3 | Uruguay | 2 |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 2 |
Spain comfortably won the group after remaining unbeaten.
Group I
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | France | 9 |
| 2 | Norway | 6 |
| 3 | Senegal | 3 |
| 4 | Iraq | 0 |
France joined Mexico as one of only two teams to win all three group matches, finishing with 10 goals scored and only two conceded.
Group J
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 9 |
| 2 | Austria | 4 |
| 3 | Algeria | 4 |
| 4 | Jordan | 0 |
Defending champions Argentina maintained a perfect record with three victories from three matches.
Group K
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 7 |
| 2 | Portugal | 5 |
| 3 | DR Congo | 4 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 0 |
Colombia emerged as group winners after an unbeaten campaign.
Group L
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | England | 7 |
| 2 | Croatia | 6 |
| 3 | Ghana | 4 |
| 4 | Panama | 0 |
England secured first place, while Croatia finished second after a crucial victory over Ghana in the final round of group matches.
Teams that topped their groups
The 12 group winners are:
- Mexico
- Switzerland
- Brazil
- USA
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Spain
- France
- Argentina
- Colombia
- England
These teams have automatically qualified for the Round of 32 and will be seeded favorably in the knockout bracket.
Round of 32 begins tomorrow: Full FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures
The FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its first-ever Round of 32 on June 29, marking the start of the knockout phase following the conclusion of the expanded 48-team group stage. Heavyweights including Argentina, France, Brazil, England, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands have booked their places in the last 32, while surprise packages such as Cabo Verde, South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, DR Congo and Morocco will look to continue their impressive runs. The knockout stage will begin with
South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles, followed by high-profile clashes including
Brazil vs Japan,
Germany vs Paraguay,
Netherlands vs Morocco,
France vs Sweden,
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Portugal vs Croatia,
England vs DR Congo, and
Argentina vs Cabo Verde. Spain and Switzerland are still awaiting confirmation of their opponents from the best third-placed teams. The Round of 32 will be played from June 29 to July 4, with winners advancing to the Round of 16.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 fixtures (IST)
June 29 - South Africa vs Canada — 12:30 AM
- Brazil vs Japan — 10:30 PM
June 30 - Germany vs Paraguay — 2:00 AM
- Netherlands vs Morocco — 6:30 AM
- Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway — 10:30 PM
July 1 - France vs Sweden — 2:30 AM
- Mexico vs Ecuador — 6:30 AM
- England vs DR Congo — 9:30 PM
July 2 - Belgium vs Senegal — 1:30 AM
- USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — 5:30 AM
July 3 - Spain vs TBD — 12:30 AM
- Portugal vs Croatia — 4:30 AM
- Switzerland vs TBD — 8:30 AM
- Australia vs Egypt — 11:30 PM
July 4 - Colombia vs Ghana — 7:00 AM
- Argentina vs Cabo Verde — 3:30 AM
Best-performing teams so far
Several nations impressed during the group stage:
- France and Mexico finished with a perfect nine points.
- Argentina also won all three matches in Group J.
- Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, and Spain showcased strong attacking displays.
- Surprise packages such as Morocco, Cabo Verde, and South Africa exceeded expectations by advancing from their groups.
With the group stage nearly complete, attention now shifts to the Round of 32, where the tournament's expanded format will produce the first-ever knockout round featuring 32 teams.
