The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearing its conclusion, with 28 teams already securing their spots in the expanded 32-team knockout phase. Only four berths remain up for grabs as the tournament adopts a new format following its expansion from 32 to 48 teams.

The knockout stage begins with a round of 32, scheduled from June 28 to July 3, followed by the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place playoff, and the final on July 19. Qualification criteria: the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance.

For the first time at a World Cup, FIFA uses head-to-head records as the primary tiebreaker for teams level on points, instead of goal difference. If still tied, goal difference, goals scored, and further criteria are applied.

Teams already qualified: Mexico (Group A), USA (D), Germany (E), Argentina (J), France (I), Norway (I), Colombia (K), Switzerland (B), Canada (B), Bosnia and Herzegovina (B), Brazil (C), Morocco (C), South Africa (A), Ecuador (E), Ivory Coast (E), Netherlands (F), Japan (F), Sweden (F), Australia (D), Paraguay (D), Belgium (G), Egypt (G), Spain (H), Cape Verde (H), Senegal (I), Portugal (K), England (L), Ghana (L).

Eliminated teams: Haiti (C), Turkey (D), Tunisia (F), Jordan (J), Panama (L), Qatar (B), Czechia (A), Curacao (E), New Zealand (G), Uruguay (H), Saudi Arabia (H), Iraq (I).

Source: www.aljazeera.com