Kathmandu: With the group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 set to conclude on June 27, the knockout bracket is beginning to form. The expanded 48 teams tournament introduces a Round of 32 for the first time promising high stakes action that will run through to the final on July 19.


Teams Already Qualified for Round of 32 (as of June 26, 12:30 PM NST)


Group A

  • Mexico: First team to qualify after topping the group with a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 18. They opened with a 2-0 victory against South Africa.
  • South Africa: Secured a historic knockout spot with a 1-0 win over South Korea on June 24. It’s the first time Bafana Bafana will take part in the knockout rounds.

Group B

  • Switzerland: Topped the group unbeaten with seven points confirmed by a 2-1 win over Canada on June 24.
  • Canada: Took second place with four points despite the loss to Switzerland highlighted by a 6-0 thrashing of Qatar.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: Advanced as one of the best third placed teams after a 3-1 win over Qatar on June 24.


Group C

  • Brazil: Qualified in style with a 3-0 win over Scotland on June 24 topping the group with seven points and a +6 goal difference.
  • Morocco: Advanced in second place with seven points from one draw and two wins.

Group D

  • USA: Advanced following a 2-0 win over Australia on June 19 having started strongly with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.
  • Australia: Took second spot with four points after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay on June 25.

Group E

  • Germany: Qualified with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on June 20. They began with a dominant 7-1 win over Curacao.
  • Ivory Coast: Finished second with a 2-0 win over Curacao featuring a brace from Nicolas Pepe.
  • Ecuador: Squeezed through as one of the best third placed teams after a 2-1 upset win over Germany on June 25.

Group F

  • Netherlands: Topped the group with seven points after a 3-1 final win over Tunisia.
  • Japan: Advanced in second place with five points, including a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
  • Sweden: Progressed as one of the best third placed teams with four points.

Group I

  • France: Advanced after a 3-0 win over Iraq on June 22 with Kylian Mbappe scoring a brace. They opened with a 3-1 win against Senegal.
  • Norway: Qualified with a 3-2 win over Senegal and a strong 4-1 opening victory against Iraq.

Group J

  • Argentina: Sealed qualification with a 2-0 win over Austria on June 22 where Lionel Messi scored twice. They are guaranteed top spot and started with a 3-0 win over Algeria.

Group K

  • Colombia: Progressed after a 1-0 win over DR Congo on June 23 following a 3-1 opening win against Uzbekistan.


Knockout Schedule


The knockout phase gets underway with the Round of 32 from June 28 to July 3. Many matches will fall during late evening and early morning hours locally requiring fans to plan accordingly for live viewing.

Full knockout timeline:

  • Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
  • Round of 16: July 4 – 7
  • Quarterfinals: July 9 – 11
  • Semifinals: July 14 – 15
  • Bronze Medal Match: July 18
  • Final: July 19


Advancement Rules

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance automatically joined by the eight best third placed teams across all groups creating a 32 teams single elimination bracket.

Key Tie Breaker Changes

FIFA has introduced important updates to the tie breaker system. For the first time in World Cup history, head to head records serve as the primary criterion for teams tied on points moving away from overall goal difference.

Group Stage Tie Breakers:

If two or more teams are level on points:
Step 1 (Head to Head):

  • Highest points earned in matches between the tied teams
  • Superior goal difference in those head to head matches
  • Greater number of goals scored in those head to head matches

If still tied:
Step 2:

  • Better goal difference across all group matches
  • Higher total goals scored across all group matches
  • Superior team conduct score (based on yellow and red cards for players and officials)

Step 3:

  • Higher position in the latest FIFA World Rankings

Selecting the Eight Best Third Placed Teams:
Ranked by:

  • Greatest number of points gained in all group matches
  • Goal difference from all group matches
  • Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches
  • Highest team conduct score
  • Latest FIFA World Rankings if still tied


As the final group fixtures play out, excitement is building worldwide for the start of the knockout stage this weekend. The new format and updated rules are expected to deliver even more drama on the road to the July 19 final.