With teams from 12 groups competing for spots in the knockout stages, the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage is about to enter a pivotal phase. The top two teams from each group and the top eight third-place teams will move on to the Round of 32 under the expanded 48-team format.
Six teams have already qualified for the next round. With six points from their first two games, Norway, France, Argentina, Germany, the United States, and Mexico are all certain to place in the top two in their respective groups.
Many other countries are in a good position to join them in the knockout stages, with a lot of group-stage matches remaining.Teams who have advanced to the Round of 32: France (Group I) and Norway
After winning their opening two games, Norway and France became the most recent teams to qualify. While France won both Senegal and Iraq, Norway won both Senegal and Iraq.
Senegal and Iraq are still without a point, while both teams have six points. Norway and France will finish in the top two because the lowest two teams can only earn a maximum of three points with one game left.

Group J: Argentina
After defeating Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0, Argentina appeared at ease in Group J. The South Americans will advance to the knockout stages thanks to their six-point haul.
Group E: Germany
One of the tournament's most impressive teams has been Germany. They defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 after crushing Curacao 7-1 in their first game. The Germans have already advanced to the next round after scoring nine goals in two games.
US (Group D)
The United States has maximized its home advantage. The Americans qualified with six points after defeating Australia 2-0 and Paraguay 4-1.

Group A: Mexico
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 to start their campaign, and then they defeated South Korea 1-0. The outcome was sufficient to guarantee a spot in the Round of 32.
Teams in fierce competition: Canada and Switzerland (Group B) With four points apiece, Canada and Switzerland lead Group B. To improve their chances of qualifying, both clubs just need to avoid losing or get good outcomes on the last day of play.

Morocco and Brazil (Group C) Morocco and Brazil are ahead in Group C by four points apiece. With three points, Scotland is still in the running, making this one of the most competitive groups going into the last round of games.
Japan and the Netherlands (Group F)
Japan and the Netherlands now hold the automatic qualifying slots with four points apiece. Sweden is still very much in the running despite trailing by three points.
Group H: Spain
With four points and no goals conceded, Spain leads Group H. Saudi Arabia still has a slim chance of advancing, while Uruguay and Cape Verde are equal on two points.Egypt (Group G) Egypt leads Group G with four points following victories over New Zealand and a tie with Belgium. There will be a dramatic final round as Iran and Belgium are tied at two points.

Teams currently in second place
These clubs would also automatically advance to the Round of 32 if the group stage concluded today:

The South Korean
Switzerland
Morocco
Australia
The Ivory Coast
Japan
Iran
Uruguay
Austria
Ghana's DR Congo
Teams in third place are still competing.
Because of the modified structure, a team's chances of winning the World Cup are not always eliminated by placing third. The top third-place clubs according to the current rankings are as follows:

Sweden, Paraguay, and Scotland
Cape Verde, Belgium
Ecuador
The Czech Republic
Herzegovina and Bosnia
As of right now, these clubs would hold the top eight third-place qualifying berths.