The fight to secure spots in the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup has concluded. For some teams, the task was straightforward and was accomplished without much fuss, while for others the battle continued right until the last of the group fixtures.
Below is the list of teams that have qualified for the Round of 32 and the sides out of the race.
Teams that have qualified for knockouts
Mexico
Mexico were the first team to qualify for the knockouts following a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Korea in Group A. They had kicked off the tournament with a 2-0 win over the unimpressive South Africa and ended it with a comfortable 3-0 win over Czech Republic to finish with maximum points in Group A. Mexico also secured home advantage for the Round of 32.
South Africa
South Africa played the opening game of the 2026 finals, falling to a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico. A draw against Czech Republic and a win over South Korea saw them finish as runners-up in Group A.
Switzerland
Switzerland defeated Canada 2-1 to qualify for the knockouts as Group B winners. The Swiss were held to a 1-1 draw against Qatar in their first game and then defeated Bosnia 4-1.
Canada
Co-hosts Canada also qualified for the next round despite defeat to Switzerland on Wednesday as the runners-up of Group B. They had started the tournament with a draw against Bosnia before crushing Qatar 6-0.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Bosnians finished third in Group B and their tally of four points means they cannot be caught by another third-place finisher and they are through.
Brazil
Brazil's win over Scotland, following a draw with Morocco and victory over Haiti, sealed the five-time world champions' 15th consecutive advancement from the group stage. They will face the runner-up from Group F.
Morocco
The Atlas Lions made it two successive World Cups of going through the group phase unbeaten. After opening with a draw against Brazil, Morocco then beat Scotland 1-0 and Haiti 4-2 to finish second in Group C. They face the winner of Group F.
USA
The co-hosts are locked in for the home finals. Despite missing talisman Christian Pulisic, the US overpowered Australia 2-0 to reach the knockouts, following their commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Group D.
Australia
The Aussies are through to the last 32 after a 0-0 draw against Paraguay confirmed them as runners-up to the US in Group D.
Germany
The Germans started with a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao but required a brace from substitute Deniz Undav to clinch a last-gasp 2-1 win over Ivory Coast and secure their place in the Round of 32 from Group E.
Ivory Coast
The Africans finished second in Group E behind Germany after beating Curacao in their final match.
Ecuador
Their surprise win over Germany means they will go through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Netherlands
The Dutch went unbeaten to top Group F. They face Morocco in the last 32.
Japan
Japan finished second in Group F and will face Brazil in the next round.
Sweden
The Swedes beat Tunisia and drew with Japan to seal progress as a best third-placed team.
Argentina
Defending champions Argentina stormed into the Round of 32 as the tireless Lionel Messi became the tournament's all-time leading scorer during the 2-0 win over Austria. They had started the tournament with a 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J.
France
Kylian Mbappe has been on fire in the tournament, with his second brace in as many matches powering France into the knockouts with a 3-0 victory over Iraq following a 3-1 triumph over Senegal in Group I.
Norway
Erling Haaland has hit the ground running. The Manchester City star struck twice in their 3-2 win over Senegal that secured entry into the knockout rounds, following an impressive 4-1 triumph over Iraq.
Spain
Pre-tournament favourites topped Group H with two ins and a draw. Struggled against Cape Verde but were too strong for Saudi Arabia. Yet to concede a goal.
Colombia
Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 in Guadalajara to qualify for the Round of 32 with a match to spare, following their opening 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Group K.
Cape Verde
Debutants Cape Verde extended their World Cup dream run as they secured a place in the knockouts following a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. It was their third straight draw in Group H.
England
England make it to the last 32 ahead of their final Group L game against Panama.
Results elsewhere meant that Thomas Tuchel's men were assured of a place in the next round as one of the top eight third-placed finishers.
Egypt
Egypt also made it to the knockout stage before their final group stage match against Iran as overnight results guaranteed their qualification.
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal qualified for the Round of 32 after a win and a draw in Group K, thanks to results elsewhere.
Ghana
Ghana were handed qualification to the next round following favourable overnight results. They too had a win and a draw after two games.
Paraguay
A win, a draw and a loss in Group D was enough for the South Americans to qualify as part of the third-best finishers.
Belgium
Belgium crushed New Zealand 5-1 to clinch top spot in Group G and storm into the Round of 32.
Belgium finished above Egypt on goal difference after they both ended with five points from three matches.
Senegal
Senegal scraped through to the knockouts following one win and two defeats - against France and Norway - in Group I. However, a 5-0 win over Iraq ensured their passage.
Croatia
Croatia completed a 2-1 victory over Ghana to seal second-place finish in Group L. Two wins a loss was enough for qualification.
Austria
Austria and Algeria played out a thrilling 3-3 draw after two stoppage-time goals. The result sent both sides into the last 32 at the expense of Iran.
Algeria
Algeria came close to defeating Algeria in their final group game but stoppage time drama ensured a draw. Still, it was enough for the North African team to advanced as one of the best third-placed sides.
Congo
Congo made it to the knockouts after battling their way back to a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan in Group K. They finished finished behind Colombia and Portugal in their group following a win, a draw and a loss.
Teams that are out of World Cup 2026
Haiti
Became the first side to be officially eliminated from the tournament after five-time champions Brazil defeated them 3-0, to go with a 1-0 loss to Scotland in their opener.
Jordan
Coach Jamal Sellami bemoaned his team’s inexperience as a 2-1 defeat to Algeria ended their campaign, following a 3-1 loss to Austria in their Group J opener.
Turkey
An incredible end to Turkey’s World Cup journey. Turkey fell to a 1-0 defeat to 10-man Paraguay, ending their campaign which had started with a 2-0 loss to Australia. Turkey failed to score despite attempting a staggering 62 shots in the two matches.
Tunisia
A shocking tournament for Tunisia, who first sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi after their opening 5-1 loss to Sweden in Group F. New manager Herve Renard could not save their campaign as they slipped to a 4-0 defeat to Japan.
Panama
Croatia defeated Panama 1-0 in their crucial Group L match that sent the central American side out of the tournament. Panama had lost their opening game to Ghana 1-0.
Qatar
Last tournament's hosts bowed out of the tournament after losing to Bosnia. The Arab team put in a much better effort but still lost 3-1 on Wednesday, finishing bottom of Group B. Did pick up their first World Cup point in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland but were then hammered 6-0 by Canada.
Czech Republic
The Czechs never recovered from a crushing defeat to South Korea despite taking the lead in their opening match. After drawing with South Africa, they bowed out with a defeat to Mexico.
Curacao
The minnows bowed out after finishing bottom of Group E with one point.
Saudi Arabia
The kingdom saw their finals campaign end following an insipid performance against Cape Verde. They 0-0 in their final game of the tournament, having started with a draw against Uruguay and losing 4-0 to Spain.
Uruguay
Bowed out of the finals with two draws and one defeats in Group H.
Iraq
Iraq had a tournament to forget, losing all three games by a big margin. Their final game was a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Senegal.
Iran
Heartbreak for Iran as they missed out on full points against Egypt in controversial circumstances in Group G. Three draws a commendable effort but not enough.
Uzbekistan
A tournament to forget as Uzbekistan were eliminated after tree defeats in Group K. They were outscored 11-2 in their first World Cup appearance.
Scotland
Scotland finished third in Group C but were eliminated. Defeated Haiti 1-0 in their opener but lost 1-0 to Morocco and 3-0 to Brazil. Needed Ghana to defeat Croatia but that did not happen.
South Korea
The Asian heavyweights finished third in Group A after one win and two defeats.
New Zealand
Finished bottom of Group G with one draw and two defeats.
