As of writing, Mexico, the US, Germany, and Argentina have qualified for the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico secured the top spot in Group A with wins over South Africa (2-0) and South Korea (1-0), becoming the first team to qualify for the knockout stage. They will face a third-place team from Groups C, E, F, H, or I in Mexico City on 30 June.
The US clinched first place in Group D after victories against Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0). Their Round of 32 match is scheduled for 1 July against a third-place team from Groups B, E, F, I, or J at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Germany qualified after back-to-back wins in Group E over Curaçao (7-1) and Ivory Coast (2-1). They will face a third-place team from Groups A, B, C, D, or F on 29 June in Boston.
Argentina have six points from two games and look like they will finish first in Group J. If Argentina finish in the top two, their Round of 32 opponent comes from Group H — Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde or Saudi Arabia. Which one depends on whether they win the group or finish second.
Haiti, Turkey, and Tunisia have been officially eliminated from the tournament after consecutive group-stage losses.
In Group C, Haiti became the first team officially eliminated after losing 1-0 to Ecuador and 3-0 to Brazil, leaving them with zero points and no mathematical chance to advance to the Round of 32, despite having one group match remaining for pride.
In Group D, Turkey was eliminated following defeats to Australia (2-0) and Paraguay (1-0). With zero points and no goals scored in their first two matches, they cannot qualify for the knockout stage.
In Group F, Tunisia exited the tournament after losing 5-1 to Sweden and 4-0 to Japan, making it mathematically impossible for them to progress to the Round of 32.
The 2026 World Cup features an expanded 48-team format, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place finishers advancing to the Round of 32. Despite the larger field providing more qualification paths, losing the first two matches often results in early elimination, as seen with these three nations.
These early eliminations highlight the competitive nature of the expanded tournament, where even a single poor start can end a nation’s World Cup journey.
In the Round of 32, matches are single elimination; tied games go to 30 minutes of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary.
The Round of 32 is scheduled from 28 June to 3 July with the tournament continuing through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and culminating in the final on 19 July at MetLife in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The list of qualified and disqualified teams will grow over the next few days as the group stage concludes on 27 June.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 25 June, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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