World Cup 2026: Teams Eliminated So Far

Three more teams faced elimination in the recent round of 32 matches at World Cup 2026. Austria was soundly defeated by Spain, while Algeria lost to Switzerland. Croatia's exit might sting the most, as they conceded a stoppage-time winner to Portugal and had a later equalizer disallowed.

At this point, 19 teams remain in the tournament, which will be narrowed down to 16 after the current round of 32. From the 48 nations that qualified across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, only one will lift the trophy, reflecting the unforgiving nature of knockout football.

Expect surprises and shocks as the competition progresses, but here is a list of teams already out of the running:

Sixteen teams bowed out following the group stage, and with each knockout round, the numbers keep shrinking—eight more teams will be eliminated in the last 16, four in the quarter-finals, two in the semi-finals, leaving only the finalists battling for the title.

Keep track of the unfolding drama with the Radio Times World Cup 2026 wall chart, offering every fixture at your fingertips.