With the 2026 World Cup group stage almost complete, 28 spots have now been snapped up in the round of 32. On Friday, a raft of nations stamped their tickets to the knockout stages, including a trio of teams who are yet to play on matchday three.

Belgium and Spain both won their groups on Friday - as did France, who had already clinched their last-32 spot with a game to spare. The day’s headline-grabbers, though, were Cape Verde. With a population of just 525,000, the Blue Sharks became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds of a men’s World Cup, taking second in Group H with a draw against Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s draw with Iran meant Hossam Hassan’s men secured second spot in Group G, albeit earlier results had already guaranteed the Pharaohs qualification for the next round. It’s the first time the Egyptians have ever come through the round-robin phase at a men’s World Cup.

In Group I, Senegal also booked their last-32 berth, thumping Iraq 5-0 to lock in qualification as one of the group stage’s eight best third-placed teams.

Three teams who are in action on Saturday - England, Ghana and Portugal - all had their knockout-phase places confirmed without kicking a ball on Friday. So, too, did Paraguay: two days after a draw with Australia earned the South Americans third spot in Group D, their tally of four points officially took them through to the last 32.

Who has qualified for the round of 32?

Group winners:

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Germany
• France
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United States

Runners-up:

• Australia
• Canada
• Cape Verde
• Egypt
• Ivory Coast
• Japan
• Morocco
• Norway
• South Africa

Third place:

• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Senegal
• Sweden

Qualified but position TBC:

• Colombia
• England
• Ghana
• Portugal

World Cup round of 32: every matchup

June 28:

• South Africa vs Canada, Inglewood, CA

June 29:

• Brazil vs Japan, Houston, TX
• Germany vs Paraguay, Foxborough, MA
• Netherlands vs Morocco, Monterrey

June 30:

• France vs Sweden, East Rutherford, NJ
• Ivory Coast vs Norway, Arlington, TX
• Mexico vs 3rd Group C/E, Mexico City

July 1:

• Belgium vs 3rd Group A/I/J, Seattle, WA
• U.S. vs Bosnia-Herzegovina, Santa Clara, CA
• Winner Group L vs 3rd Group I/J/K, Atlanta, GA

July 2:

• Runner-up Group K vs runner-up Group L, Toronto
• Spain vs runner-up Group J, Inglewood, CA
• Switzerland vs 3rd Group G/J, Vancouver

July 3:

• Argentina vs Cape Verde, Miami, FL
• Australia vs Egypt, Arlington, TX
• Winner Group K vs 3rd Group E/I/L, MO

Eliminated teams:

• Curaçao
• Czechia
• Haiti
• Iraq
• Jordan
• New Zealand
• Türkiye
• Tunisia
• Panama
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Uruguay

2026 World Cup: knockout-stage schedule

After the round of 32, which runs from June 28 to July 3, the World Cup schedule then moves into its decisive stages. The round of 16 will be played from July 4 to July 7, followed by the quarter-finals from July 9 to July 12, the semi-finals on July 14 and 15, the third-place play-off on July 18, and the final on July 19. The 2026 title game will be played at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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