World Cup 2026 knockout stage: every team through and who has been eliminated

The 2026 World Cup group stage is nearing its end, and the field for the first-ever round of 32 is taking shape. For the first time in the tournament’s history, 48 nations are competing across 12 groups of four, with the 12 group winners and 12 runners-up advancing automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed finishers on points and goal difference.

In total, 16 nations will exit at the group stage.

Teams through to the knockout stages

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, Cape Verde

Group I: France, Norway, Senegal

Group J: Argentina

Group K: Colombia, Portugal

Group L: England, Ghana

Teams eliminated

Group A: Czech Republic | Group B: Qatar | Group C: Haiti | Group D: Turkey | Group E: Curacao | Group F: Tunisia | Group G: New Zealand | Group H: Uruguay, Saudi Arabia | Group I: Iraq | Group J: Jordan | Group L: Panama

Tournament background

The tournament opened at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, a venue steeped in World Cup history. It was the stage for Diego Maradona’s two most iconic — and controversial — goals against England at the 1986 World Cup, and has hosted two memorable finals: Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Italy in 1970, capped by Carlos Alberto’s celebrated team goal, and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, settled by Jorge Burruchaga’s 84th-minute strike.

Mexico and Canada are each hosting 13 matches, while the United States is staging 78. From the quarter-finals onwards, all remaining games will be held in the US, with the final scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.