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As the World Cup group stage enters its second round of matches, some nations will be booking their places in the knockout stages, while others will be heading home.
The new tournament format means most routes to the latter stages will remain open heading into the third round of games.
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At the previous seven World Cups, a 32-team slate was reduced to 16 for the knockout rounds, with the simple equation of the top two from each of the eight four-team groups going through.
Now a 48-team tournament, the top two from each of the 12 groups will be joined by the eight best third-place teams.
It means that we will lose 16 teams at the end of the round-robin phase, with plenty of moving parts to keep track of, especially when it comes to the ranking of the best third-place finishers.
Below is a breakdown of every World Cup group as they stand and what each team needs to progress to the knockout rounds or avoid early elimination.
JUMP TO GROUP: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L
World Cup bracket 2026
SN
World Cup Group A standings and scenarios
| 1. | Scotland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 |
| 2. | Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3. | Morocco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4. | Haiti | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Mexico
Will qualify as group winner if they beat South Korea and Czechia do not beat South Africa.
South Korea
Will qualify as group winner if they beat Mexico and South Africa do not beat Czechia.
South Africa
Will be eliminated if they lose to Czechia and South Korea avoids defeat against Mexico
Czechia
Will be eliminated if they lose to South Africa and Mexico avoids defeat against South Korea
Group A schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Thu, June 11 | Mexico 2, South Africa 0 | Highlights |
| Thu, June 11 | South Korea 2, Czechia 1 | Highlights |
| Thu, June 18 | Czechia vs. South Africa | 12 p.m. |
| Thu, June 18 | Mexico vs. South Korea | 9 p.m. |
| Fri, June 24 | Czechia vs. Mexico | 9 p.m. |
| Fri, June 24 | South Africa vs. South Korea | 9 p.m. |
World Cup Group B standings and scenarios
| 1. Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3. Qatar | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Canada, Bosnia, Qatar and Switzerland
After each game in the first round of matches finished 1-1, no team can qualify or be eliminated in their second match. Any team that takes at least four points from their next two matches (a win and a draw) will be guaranteed a top-two spot.
Group B schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Fri, June 12 | Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 | 3 p.m. |
| Sat, June 13 | Qatar 1, Switzerland 1 | 3 p.m. |
| Thu, June 18 | Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 p.m. |
| Thu, June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | 6 p.m. |
| Fri, June 24 | Switzerland vs. Canada | 3 p.m. |
| Fri, June 24 | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar | 3 p.m. |
World Cup Group C standings and scenarios
| 1. Scotland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| 2. Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3. Morocco | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4. Haiti | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Scotland
Will guarantee a knockout place if they beat Morocco. If Steve Clarke's men secure this result and Brazil fail to beat Haiti they would be confirmed as group winners.
Haiti
Will be eliminated if they lose to Brazil and Morocco beat Scotland.
Morocco and Brazil
Neither can be eliminated nor guaranteed qualification after their opening match finished 1-1.
Group C schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Sat, June 13 | Brazil 1, Morocco 1 | 6 p.m. |
| Sat, June 13 | Scotland 1, Haiti 0 | 9 p.m. |
| Fri, June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | 6 p.m. |
| Fri, June 19 | Brazil vs. Haiti | 8:30 p.m. |
| Wed, June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | 6 p.m. |
| Wed, June 24 | Morocco vs. Haiti | 6 p.m. |
World Cup Group D standings and scenarios
| 1. United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| 2. Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| 3. Turkey | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 4. Paraguay | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -3 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
United States
Will qualify as group winners if they defeat Australia and Turkey do not beat Paraguay
Australia
Will qualify as group winners if they defeat the United States and Paraguay do not beat Turkey.
Paraguay
Will be eliminated if they lose to Turkey and Australia avoids defeat against the United States
Turkey
Will be eliminated if they lose to Paraguay and the United States avoids defeat against Australia.
Group D schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Fri, June 12 | United States 4, Paraguay 1 | 9 p.m. |
| Sat, June 13 | Australia 2, Turkey 0 | 12 a.m. |
| Fri, June 19 | United States vs. Australia | 3 p.m. |
| Fri, June 19 | Turkey vs. Paraguay | 11 p.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Turkey vs. United States | 10 p.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Paraguay vs. Australia | 10 p.m. |
World Cup Group E standings and scenarios
| 1. Germany | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
| 2. Ivory Coast | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| 3. Ecuador | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 4. Curacao | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Germany
Will qualify as group winners if they beat the Ivory Coast and Ecuador does not beat Curacao.
Ivory Coast
Will qualify as group winners if they beat Germany and Curacao does not beat Ecuador.
Ecuador
Will be eliminated if they lose to Curacao and Germany avoids defeat against the Ivory Coast
Curacao
Will be eliminated if they lose to Ecuador and the Ivory Coast avoids defeat against Germany.
Group E schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Sun, June 14 | Germany 7, Curacao 1 | 1 p.m. |
| Sun, June 14 | Ivory Coast 1, Ecuador 0 | 7 p.m. |
| Sat, June 20 | Germany vs. Ivory Coast | 4 p.m. |
| Sat, June 20 | Ecuador vs. Curacao | 8 p.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Curacao vs. Ivory Coast | 4 p.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Ecuador vs. Germany | 4 p.m. |
World Cup Group F standings and scenarios
| 1. Sweden | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 |
| 2. Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3. Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 4. Tunisia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Sweden
Will qualify with a victory over the Netherlands. Will go through as group winners if they beat the Dutch and Japan does not beat Tunisia.
Tunisia
Will be eliminated if they lose to Japan and the Netherlands beat Sweden.
Netherlands and Japan
Neither can be eliminated nor guaranteed qualification after their opening match finished 2-2.
Group F schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Sun, June 14 | Netherlands 2, Japan 2 | 4 p.m. |
| Sun, June 14 | Sweden 5, Tunisia 1 | 10 p.m. |
| Sat, June 20 | Netherlands vs. Sweden | 1 p.m. |
| Sat, June 20 | Tunisia vs. Japan | 12 a.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Japan vs. Sweden | 6 p.m. |
| Thu, June 25 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | 6 p.m. |
World Cup Group G standings and scenarios
| 1. Iran | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2. New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 3. Belgium | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4. Egypt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Iran, New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt
After each game in the first round of matches finished all square, no team can qualify or be eliminated in their second match. Any team that takes at least four points from their next two matches (a win and a draw) will be guaranteed a top-two spot.
Group G schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Mon, June 15 | Belgium 1, Egypt 1 | 3 p.m. |
| Mon, June 15 | Iran 2, New Zealand 2 | 9 p.m. |
| Sun, June 21 | Belgium vs. Iran | 3 p.m. |
| Sun, June 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | 9 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | Egypt vs. Iran | 11 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | 11 p.m. |
World Cup Group H standings and scenarios
| 1. Uruguay | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2. Saudi Arabia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3. Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4. Cape Verde | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Cape Verde
After each game in the first round of matches finished all square, no team can qualify or be eliminated in their second match. Any team that takes at least four points from their next two matches (a win and a draw) will be guaranteed a top-two spot.
Group H schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Mon, June 15 | Spain 0, Cape Verde 0 | 12 p.m. |
| Mon, June 15 | Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1 | 6 p.m. |
| Sun, June 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | 12 p.m. |
| Sun, June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cape Verde | 6 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | 8 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | Uruguay vs. Spain | 8 p.m. |
World Cup Group I standings and scenarios
| 1. Norway | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| 2. France | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 3. Senegal | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| 4. Iraq | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -3 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Norway, France, Senegal and Iraq
Norway and France, as the two winners from the first matches, playing the two defeated teams next means that no qualification or elimination matters can be decisively settled in the forthcoming round of fixtures.
Group I schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Tue, June 16 | France 3, Senegal 1 | 3 p.m. |
| Tue, June 16 | Norway 4, Iraq 1 | 6 p.m. |
| Mon, June 22 | France vs. Iraq | 5 p.m. |
| Mon, June 22 | Norway vs. Senegal | 8 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | Norway vs. France | 3 p.m. |
| Fri, June 26 | Senegal vs. Iraq | 3 p.m. |
World Cup Group J standings and scenarios
| 1. Argentina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
| 2. Austria | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 3. Jordan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| 4. Algeria | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Argentina
Will qualify as group winners if they beat Austria and Jordan does not beat Algeria.
Austria
Will qualify as group winners if they beat Argentina and Algeria does not beat Jordan.
Jordan
Will be eliminated if they lose to Algeria and Argentina avoids defeat against Austria.
Algeria
Will be eliminated if they lose to Jordan and the Austria avoids defeat against Argentina.
Group J schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Tue, June 16 | Argentina 3, Algeria 0 | 9 p.m. |
| Tue, June 16 | Austria 3, Jordan 1 | 12 a.m. |
| Mon, June 22 | Argentina vs. Austria | 1 p.m. |
| Mon, June 22 | Jordan vs. Algeria | 11 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Algeria vs. Austria | 10 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina | 10 p.m. |
World Cup Group K standings and scenarios
| 1. Colombia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| 2. DR Congo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3. Portugal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 4. Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
Colombia
Will qualify as group winners if they beat DR Congo.
DR Congo and Portugal
Neither can be eliminated nor guaranteed qualification after their opening match finished 1-1.
Uzbekistan
Will be eliminated if they lose to Portugal and DR Congo defeats Colombia.
Group K schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Wed, June 17 | Portugal 1, DR Congo 1 | 1 p.m. |
| Wed, June 17 | Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1 | 10 p.m. |
| Tue, June 23 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | 1 p.m. |
| Tue, June 23 | Colombia vs. DR Congo | 10 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan | 7:30 p.m. |
World Cup Group L standings and scenarios
| 1. England | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
| 2. Ghana | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| 3. Panama | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 4. Croatia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -2 |
- Q = Qualified to Knockout Stage
- E = Eliminated
England
Will qualify as group winners if they beat Ghana and Croatia defeats Panama.
Ghana
Will qualify as group winners if they beat England and Panama defeats Croatia.
Panama
Will be eliminated if they lose to Croatia and England defeats Ghana.
Croatia
Will be eliminated if they lose to Panama and Ghana defeats England.
Group L schedule, results
| Date | Match | Time (ET) |
| Wed, June 17 | England 4, Croatia 2 | 4 p.m. |
| Wed, June 17 | Ghana 1, Panama 0 | 7 p.m. |
| Tue, June 23 | England vs. Ghana | 4 p.m. |
| Tue, June 23 | Panama vs. Croatia | 7 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Panama vs. England | 5 p.m. |
| Sat, June 27 | Croatia vs. Ghana | 5 p.m. |
World Cup 2026 group stage tiebreakers
When wins, losses and draws alone aren't enough to determine a group's standings, the following tiebreaking procedure will be used. Expect these to come into play as the permutations noted above play out.
Overall goal difference: whichever team has the higher margin between how many goals they score and allow.
- Total goals scored: whichever team scores the most goals in the group stage.
- Head-to-head points: most points in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
- Head-to-head goal difference: the highest margin of goals scored/against in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
- Head-to-head goals scored: most goals in group matches when the teams tied in the standings went against each other.
- Highest team conduct score: a score that is diminished as team players/personnel get carded.
- Higher FIFA/Coca‑Cola Men’s World Ranking: the team with the higher international team rank will move on. If the teams somehow have the same ranking, the most recent past edition of the rankings will be examined.
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