2026 FIFA World Cup Group Standings and Knockout Round Details

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin soon, with host nation Mexico kicking off the tournament against South Africa. Shortly after, South Korea will face Czechia, marking the start for two of the 48 participating teams. The rest will join in the days that follow.

Group A Schedule

June 11: Mexico 2, South Africa 0; South Korea 2, Czechia 1
June 18: Czechia vs. South Africa; Mexico vs. South Korea
June 24: South Africa vs. South Korea; Czechia vs. Mexico

Group B Schedule

June 12: Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
June 13: Qatar 1, Switzerland 1
June 18: Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina; Canada vs. Qatar
June 24: Switzerland vs. Canada; Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar

Group C Schedule

June 13: Brazil 1, Morocco 1; Scotland 1, Haiti 0
June 19: Scotland vs. Morocco; Brazil vs. Haiti
June 24: Morocco vs. Haiti; Scotland vs. Brazil

Group D Schedule

June 12: United States 4, Paraguay 1
June 14: Australia 2, Türkiye 0
June 19: United States vs. Australia; Türkiye vs. Paraguay
June 25: Türkiye vs. United States; Paraguay vs. Australia

Group E Schedule

June 14: Germany 7, Curaçao 1; Ivory Coast 1, Ecuador 0
June 20: Germany vs. Ivory Coast; Ecuador vs. Curaçao
June 25: Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast; Ecuador vs. Germany

Group F Schedule

June 14: Netherlands 2, Japan 2; Sweden 5, Tunisia 1
June 20: Netherlands vs. Sweden
June 21: Tunisia vs. Japan
June 25: Tunisia vs. Netherlands; Japan vs. Sweden

Group G Schedule

June 15: Belgium 1, Egypt 1; Iran 2, New Zealand 2
June 21: Belgium vs. Iran; New Zealand vs. Egypt
June 26: New Zealand vs. Belgium; Egypt vs. Iran

Group H Schedule

June 15: Spain 0, Cabo Verde 0; Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1
June 21: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia; Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde
June 26: Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia; Uruguay vs. Spain

Group I Schedule

June 16: France 3, Senegal 1; Norway 4, Iraq 1
June 22: France vs. Iraq; Norway vs. Senegal
June 26: Norway vs. France; Senegal vs. Iraq

Group J Schedule

June 16: Argentina 3, Algeria 0
June 17: Austria 3, Jordan 1
June 22: Argentina vs. Austria; Jordan vs. Algeria
June 27: Algeria vs. Austria; Jordan vs. Argentina

Group K Schedule

June 17: Portugal 1, DR Congo 1; Uzbekistan vs. Colombia
June 23: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan; Colombia vs. DR Congo
June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal; DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan

Group L Schedule

June 17: England 4, Croatia 2; Ghana 1, Panama 0
June 23: England vs. Ghana; Panama vs. Croatia
June 27: Panama vs. England; Croatia vs. Ghana

Advancing to the Knockout Round

The 2026 World Cup expands the knockout stage to include 32 teams instead of 16. Out of 48 teams, the top two from each group (24 teams) will qualify. They will be joined by the eight best third-place finishers across all groups.

How Tiebreakers Are Decided

If teams finish tied on points, FIFA applies several criteria to separate them. First, it looks at points earned in matches played between the tied teams. Next comes goal difference in those head-to-head matches, followed by the number of goals scored in those encounters.

If still tied, overall group performance is examined: goal difference in all group matches, total goals scored, and then team conduct, which relates to disciplinary records like yellow and red cards.

When these don't settle the tie, FIFA World Rankings are used as the final measure.

Ranking the Third-Place Teams

To pick the best eight third-place teams, points earned in all group matches are the first factor, then goal difference and goals scored. Team conduct points come next, and if a tie persists, FIFA rankings determine the order.