The expansion of the Fifa World Cup from 32 to 48 teams has seen the introduction of the Round of 32 in the knock-out stage at the 2026 tournament in Mexico, Canada and the USA.
Since 48 is not symmetrical to split the field to a two-team final, Fifa decided to have 32 teams move to the knock-out stages. The top two teams in each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knock-out stage.
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou makes a save under pressure from Brazil's Danilo during their 2026 Fifa World Cup Group C match at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
Ranking of teams in groups is first determined by head-to-head record between tied teams, then goal difference. Teams that cannot be separated after that will be split using goals scored, then fair play record, and finally positions in the latest (or historic) Fifa rankings.
Ranking of the eight best third-placed teams will first be determined by goal difference, then goals scored. Fair play record and then positions in the latest (or historic) Fifa rankings will then be applied to separate teams that are still level.
As of Tuesday morning, 44 matches had been played, and 134 goals scored. Co-hosts Mexico and US, Argentina and Germany have already done enough to qualify for the Round of 32 as group leaders.
France and Norway have also booked their places after their wins over Iraq and Senegal in their first two matches in Group I. The Europeans will face off in their last group match to decide the group winner.
Haiti, Jordan, Tunisia, and Turkey have been eliminated. Nine African teams are in contention for a place in the Round of 32.
DR Congo players celebrate their goal against Portugal in their Group K 2026 Fifa World Cup match at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas on June 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
In Group A, South Africa, bottom with one point and a two-goal difference, can advance as runners-up in their group if they beat second-placed South Korea (three points, 0 goal difference) and third-placed Czech Republic (one point, -1 goal difference) fail to register a win against group winners Mexico (six points, +3 goal difference).
Bafana Bafana can still finish second if they beat South Korea and the Czech Republic beats Mexico. However, the Hugo Broos-coached side will have to ensure their margin of victory is greater than that of the Europeans by two or more goals for a better goal difference. Otherwise, the Europeans will be ranked higher in second place based on their better fair play record or higher Fifa ranking, leaving South Africa to hope for qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ivory Coast players during training at Centennial Park in Toronto, Canada on June 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
With four yellows and two red cards, South Africa, 60th in Fifa rankings, has the worst fair play record in Group A. Mexico (one yellow and one red card), South Korea (three yellows), Czech Republic (one yellow) are ranked higher than Bafana Bafana in Fifa rankings at positions 14, 25, and 40, respectively.
Defeat to South Korea, or a draw with the Czech Republic also holding Mexico, will eliminate South Africa.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha makes a save during their Group H Fifa World Cup match against Spain at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia on June 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
For Morocco (second in Group C with four points), Egypt (first in Group G with four points), and Algeria (third in Group J with three points and also third in the ranking of third-placed teams), advancing is less complex as they have already won a match. The three teams cannot finish lower than third in their groups and will be assured of a place in the Round of 32 if they avoid defeat in their final group games. Defeat will leave them pressing calculators, hoping to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
In Group E, Côte d’Ivoire only needs to avoid defeat against Curaçao to finish second. They cannot finish in third place and will be eliminated if they lose to Curaçao and Ecuador beats Germany.
Cape Verde's Vozinha with teammates during the pre-match walkaround at Miami Stadium - Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, US on June 20, 2026
Photo credit: Paul Childs | Reuters
Cape Verde, third in Group H with two points after draws against Spain (0-0) and Uruguay (2-2), will be through if they beat Saudi Arabia in their final group game. A draw will leave them hoping to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. Defeat to the Green Falcons will eliminate the Blue Sharks.
After losing to France (3-1) and Norway (3-2), Senegal now only have a chance of remaining in the tournament as one of the eight best third-placed teams if they win big over Iraq. Iraq, like Senegal, also lost to France (3-0) and Norway (3-1).
The same applies to Ghana, which played England on Tuesday evening after defeating Panama 1-0 in their opening match. A win against Croatia in their final Group H match see them advance.
