World Cup 2026 Round of 32: Mexico Are First Through
Updated 26 June 2026, after Groups A, B, C, E, F completed their final rounds on June 24-25.
Update, 9 July 2026: the group stage and Round of 32 are now complete. All 32 qualifiers have been decided and the tournament has moved on to the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals. See the World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals hub for the current bracket and the Round of 16 results recap for how we got there.
Seventeen teams have now qualified for the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 after the final-round results in Groups A, B, C, E and F on June 24 and June 25. Ecuador become the first confirmed third-place qualifier, advancing from Group E despite finishing third. Groups D, G, H, I, J, K and L still have final-round matches to complete.
| Status | Teams |
|---|---|
| Qualified – group winners (8) | Mexico (A), Switzerland (B), Brazil (C), USA (D), Germany (E), Netherlands (F), France (I), Argentina (J) |
| Qualified – group runners-up (7) | South Africa (A), Canada (B), Morocco (C), Ivory Coast (E), Japan (F), Norway (I), Colombia (K) |
| Qualified – best third-place (1 confirmed) | Ecuador (E, 4pts) |
| Eliminated (confirmed) | Curasao (E 4th), Czech Republic (A), South Korea (A), Bosnia and Herzegovina (B), Qatar (B), Scotland (C), Haiti (C), Tunisia (F) |
| Still to play final round | Groups G, H, J (remaining), K (remaining), L |
June 25: Group E Shock and Group F Confirmed
Group E produced the most remarkable final round. Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 at MetLife Stadium in one of the group stage biggest results, though Germany still won the group having already secured six points from their first two matches. Ivory Coast beat Curasao 2-0 simultaneously. All three teams advance: Germany as group winners, Ivory Coast as runners-up, Ecuador as a third-place qualifier. Only Curasao go home. Read: Ecuador 2-1 Germany and Ivory Coast 2-0 Curasao.
Netherlands confirmed Group F top spot with a 3-1 win over Tunisia at Arrowhead Stadium. Japan secured second with a 1-1 draw against Sweden. Read: Netherlands 3-1 Tunisia and Japan 1-1 Sweden.
June 24: Groups A, B, C Settled
Mexico secured nine points from three games with a 3-0 win over Czech Republic at Estadio Azteca. South Africa made history reaching the Round of 32 for the first time with a 1-0 win over South Korea. Switzerland topped Group B with seven points after beating Canada 2-1 at BC Place. Brazil topped Group C with a 3-0 win over Scotland, while Morocco secured second with a 4-2 comeback win over Haiti. Full reports: Mexico 3-0 Czech Republic, South Africa 1-0 South Korea, Switzerland 2-1 Canada, Bosnia 3-1 Qatar, Brazil 3-0 Scotland, Morocco 4-2 Haiti.
How the Round of 32 works
In the 2026 World Cup with 48 teams, 32 nations reach the knockout rounds: the top two from each of the 12 groups (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams across all groups (8 teams). Track every group in our group standings tracker and see the full tournament picture in the complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which teams have qualified for the World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
As of 26 June 2026, seventeen teams have qualified: Mexico, South Africa (A), Switzerland, Canada (B), Brazil, Morocco (C), USA (D), Germany, Ivory Coast (E), Netherlands, Japan (F), France, Norway (I), Argentina (J), Colombia (K), and Ecuador (Group E third-place). More to be confirmed when Groups G, H, and remaining groups finish.
How many third-place teams qualify for the World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
Eight of the 12 third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. They are ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored and fair play, and the best eight qualify.
Is Ecuador in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
Yes. Ecuador finished third in Group E with four points and advance to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams in the tournament.
Sources: 2026 FIFA World Cup and FIFA match centre.
