FIFA: Full List of Teams That Have Qualified and Been Eliminated
News Desk
The knockout-stage picture at the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is beginning to take shape. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the expanded 48-team format has introduced a Round of 32.
So far, Mexico, the United States, Germany, Argentina, France, and Norway have secured their places in the next stage, while Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, and Jordan have been eliminated from the competition.
Knockout Schedule
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, after which the tournament will enter the knockout phase.
Under the new format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will qualify for the Round of 32. The Round of 32 will be played from June 28 to July 3.
The Round of 16 will take place from July 4 to July 7, followed by the quarter-finals from July 9 to July 11 and the semi-finals on July 14 and 15. The third-place playoff is scheduled for July 18, while the FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on July 19.
New Tiebreaker System
FIFA has introduced a revised tiebreaker system for the 2026 World Cup.
Teams will first be ranked based on points earned. If two or more teams are level on points, head-to-head results between those teams will be considered, followed by head-to-head goal difference and goals scored in those matches.
If teams remain level, overall goal difference in all group matches will be used, followed by total goals scored and disciplinary records based on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials.
Should teams still be tied, the latest FIFA World Rankings will serve as the final deciding factor.
A similar set of criteria will be applied when determining the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32.
Teams That Have Qualified for the Round of 32
Mexico (Group A)
Mexico became the first team to qualify for the knockout stage after defeating South Korea 1-0 on June 18. The hosts had earlier opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa and currently lead Group A.
United States (Group D)
The United States secured qualification with a 2-0 win over Australia on June 19. The Americans had started their campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay and sit atop Group D.
Germany (Group E)
Germany booked their place in the Round of 32 after defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 on June 20. The four-time world champions had begun their campaign with an emphatic 7-1 victory over Curaçao and have bounced back strongly after disappointing group-stage exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Argentina (Group J)
Defending champions Argentina qualified after a 2-0 victory over Austria on June 22. Captain Lionel Messi scored both goals and became the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals. Argentina had earlier defeated Algeria 3-0, with Messi scoring a hat-trick.
France (Group I)
France advanced to the knockout stage with a convincing 3-0 victory over Iraq. Star forward Kylian Mbappé scored twice in the match, having also netted a brace in France’s opening 3-1 win over Senegal.
Norway (Group I)
Norway secured qualification after an exciting 3-2 victory over Senegal. The Scandinavians had earlier defeated Iraq 4-1 and have impressed on their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.
Teams Eliminated from the Tournament
Haiti (Group C)
Haiti became the first team to be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup following a 3-0 defeat to Brazil on June 19. The Caribbean nation was making its first World Cup appearance since 1974 but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Turkey (Group D)
Turkey’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage ended after consecutive defeats in Group D, leaving them unable to catch the leading teams.
Tunisia (Group F)
Tunisia were eliminated after suffering heavy defeats and failing to collect enough points to remain in contention for a place in the Round of 32.
Jordan (Group J)
Jordan’s World Cup campaign came to an end after back-to-back defeats left them without a realistic chance of advancing from Group J.
As the group stage enters its final stretch, more teams are expected to confirm qualification, while others face the disappointment of an early exit from football’s biggest tournament.
