Round of 32 Matchups Complete: Who Faces Whom?

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, with the Round of 32 now officially set. After a group phase packed with drama, upsets and record-breaking moments, the tournament now moves into the knockout stage, where the stakes become even higher. Here’s a look at the 32 qualified teams, how they reached the knockout stage, and who they will face next.

Mexico
Co-hosts Mexico became the first team to book a place in the knockout stage after topping Group A with impressive victories over South Africa and South Korea. El Tri will now face Ecuador in Mexico City on June 30.

United States
Following their neighbours, co-hosts the United States also progressed after topping Group D under Mauricio Pochettino. Wins over Paraguay and Australia secured qualification, while Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye confirmed the Americans as group winners. They will meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in the San Francisco Bay Area on July 1.

Germany
Julian Nagelsmann’s side became the first European nation to reach the knockout stage. The four-time world champions defeated Curaçao and Ivory Coast in their opening two matches, guaranteeing first place in Group E after Curaçao held Ecuador to a draw. Germany will face Paraguay in Boston on June 29.

Argentina
Defending champions Argentina secured qualification after just two matches, inspired by captain Lionel Messi, who scored all five goals in victories over Algeria and Austria. A final win over Jordan completed a perfect group campaign. Argentina will take on Cape Verde in Miami on July 3.

France
The 2018 champions and 2022 runners-up advanced from Group I with a game to spare. Kylian Mbappé scored twice in both victories over Senegal and Iraq before France defeated Norway to seal top spot. They will face Sweden in New York/New Jersey on June 30.

Norway
Returning to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, Norway progressed as Group I runners-up behind France, with Erling Haaland playing a key role. They will meet Ivory Coast in Dallas on June 30.

Colombia
Victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo secured Colombia’s place in the knockout stage before a draw against Portugal confirmed first place in Group K. They will face Ghana on July 3.

Switzerland
Switzerland collected seven points from three Group B matches under Murat Yakin. A victory over Canada in their final group game earned them a Round of 32 clash against Algeria in Vancouver on July 2.

Canada
The co-hosts finished second in Group B and will leave home soil for the first time in the tournament. Canada will face South Africa in Los Angeles on June 28.

Brazil
The five-time world champions topped Group C after defeating Scotland 3-0. Brazil will take on Japan in Houston on June 29.

Morocco
The Atlas Lions secured second place in Group C with an impressive 4-2 victory over Haiti. They now face Group F winners the Netherlands in Monterrey on June 29.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified as one of the best third-placed teams after defeating Qatar 3-1. They will meet co-hosts the United States in the San Francisco Bay Area on July 1.

South Africa
Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after drawing with Czechia and defeating South Korea following an opening loss to Mexico. They will open the Round of 32 against Canada in Los Angeles on June 28.

Ivory Coast
Victories over Ecuador and Curaçao secured second place in Group E. Ivory Coast will face Norway in Dallas on June 30.

Ecuador
Ecuador produced a stunning 2-1 victory over Germany in their final group match to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. They will meet Mexico on June 30.

Netherlands
Ronald Koeman’s side recovered from an opening draw with Japan to beat Sweden and Tunisia and top Group F. The Dutch will face Morocco in Monterrey on June 29.

Japan
Japan finished second in Group F after drawing with the Netherlands and Sweden and defeating Tunisia. They now face Brazil in Houston on June 29.

Sweden
Sweden advanced as one of the best third-placed teams after drawing with Japan in their final match. They will play France in New York/New Jersey on June 30.

Australia
The Socceroos secured second place in Group D after beating Türkiye and drawing with Paraguay. Australia will face Egypt in Dallas on July 3.

Spain
The 2010 world champions topped Group H after recovering from an opening draw with Cape Verde by defeating Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Spain will meet Austria in Los Angeles on July 2.

Cape Verde
Making their World Cup debut, Cape Verde captured global attention by remaining unbeaten with draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. They now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Paraguay
Although they finished third in Group D, Paraguay qualified as one of the best third-placed teams. Their reward is a Round of 32 meeting with Germany in Boston on June 29.

Belgium
After slow starts against Egypt and Iran, Belgium found form with a commanding 5-1 victory over New Zealand to qualify. They will face Senegal in Seattle on July 1.

Egypt
Egypt had already secured qualification before drawing 1-1 with Iran to finish second in Group G. They will meet Australia in Dallas on July 3.

Senegal
The Teranga Lions booked their place among the best third-placed teams after a dominant 5-0 victory over Iraq. Senegal will face Belgium in Seattle on July 1.

England
Thomas Tuchel’s England topped Group L with victories over Croatia and Panama, plus a draw against Ghana. The Three Lions will face DR Congo in Atlanta on July 1.

Croatia
The 2018 runners-up and 2022 semi-finalists recovered from defeat to England by beating Panama and Ghana to finish second in Group L. Croatia will play Portugal in Toronto on July 2.

Ghana
The Black Stars advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and will face Colombia in Kansas City on July 3.

Portugal
Portugal had already secured qualification before drawing with Colombia, a result that left them second in Group K. They will face Croatia in Toronto on July 2.

Algeria
Algeria booked a dramatic place in the Round of 32 after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria, with captain Riyad Mahrez scoring twice in the second half. They will meet Switzerland in Vancouver on July 2.

Austria
Austria reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1982 after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria, sealed by Saša Kalajdžić’s stoppage-time equaliser. They finished second in Group J and will face Spain in Los Angeles on July 2.

DR Congo
DR Congo made history by advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. After drawing with Portugal and defeating Uzbekistan, they booked a Round of 32 clash against England in Atlanta on July 1.