FIFA World Cup 2026: Full list of teams qualified for Round of 32 so far
The knockout picture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is beginning to take shape, with 17 teams having secured places in the Round of 32 as of 7:00 am IST (June 26).
The expanded 48-team tournament sees the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed finishers, progress to the knockout stage, which begins on June 28.
The latest teams to book their places were the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Ecuador and Ivory Coast following Thursday’s Group E and Group F fixtures.
The Netherlands sealed top spot in Group F with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia, while Japan and Sweden advanced after playing out a 1-1 draw. Japan finished second in the group and will face Brazil in the Round of 32, while Sweden progressed as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
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Japan also set a new national scoring record at a single World Cup, taking its tally to seven goals, surpassing the six it managed during its run to the Round of 16 at Russia 2018.
In Group E, Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 to secure qualification as one of the best third-placed teams, while Ivory Coast confirmed second place with a 2-0 win over Curacao to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2014.
Earlier, Mexico became the first team to qualify after topping Group A, followed by the United States, Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil and South Africa.
Teams qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 (as of June 26, 10:00 am IST)
- Mexico (Group A winners)
- South Africa (Group A runners-up)
- Switzerland (Group B winners)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Best third-placed team, Group B)
- Brazil (Group C winners)
- United States (Qualified from Group D)
- Australia (Group D runners-up)
- Germany (Group E winners)
- Ivory Coast (Group E runners-up)
- Ecuador (Best third-placed team, Group E)
- Netherlands (Group F winners)
- Japan (Group F runners-up)
- Sweden (Best third-placed team, Group F)
- France (Qualified from Group I)
- Norway (Qualified from Group I)
- Argentina (Group J winners)
- Colombia (Qualified from Group K)
The knockout phase, being held for the first time in a Round of 32 format following the tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams, will run from June 28 to July 3. It will be followed by the Round of 16 (July 4-7), quarterfinals (July 9-11), semifinals (July 14-15), the third-place playoff (July 18) and the final on July 19.