FIFA World Cup 2026 Bracket
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, an international men’s football (soccer) tournament organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA; world governing body of association football), is taking place in North America. Matches are being held in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 and will end on July 19 after a total of 104 matches (72 in the group stage and 32 in the knockout stage). It is the first time that three countries are jointly hosting a World Cup and only the second time that more than one country has done so. (Japan and South Korea teamed up to host the 2002 World Cup.) The 2026 tournament also marks the first time that 48 teams are competing, an increase from the previous 32.
A majority of the 2026 World Cup matches are taking place in the United States, with 11 U.S. cities serving as hosts: Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the New York City metropolitan area. The host cities in Mexico are Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey; and the host cities in Canada are Toronto and Vancouver. The World Cup previously took place in North America three times: 1970 and 1986 in Mexico, and in 1994 in the United States. The 2026 tournament is the first time the men’s World Cup has been played in Canada.
An unprecedented 48 teams are competing in the 2026 World Cup: 8 teams from Asia, 9 from Africa, 6 from North America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States take 3 of the spots as host countries), 16 from Europe, 6 from South America, 1 from Oceania, and 2 additional teams chosen through intercontinental playoffs.
In the first round, teams are divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. Teams in each group will play a round-robin of three games. The three hosts will play their group stage matches in their respective home countries. The top two teams from each group (24 total) advance to the knockout round. The top eight third-place teams (based on points scored, goal differential, and other criteria if necessary) likewise advance for a total of 32 teams. Because of the larger field, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments. (Read more about the 2026 World Cup teams and players.)
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Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia
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Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland
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Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland
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Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye (Turkey)
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Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ecuador
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Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia
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Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand
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Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay
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Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, and Norway
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Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan
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Group K: Portugal, DRC, Uzbekistan, and Colombia
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Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama
The full 2026 World Cup schedule consists of 72 matches in the group stage and 32 in the knockout stage. The opening match of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa was played on June 11 in the Mexico City Stadium. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadiu
The Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is now under way with the tournament having moved from the group stage into the knockout phase.
The biggest-ever edition of the global showpiece features 104 games featuring 48 teams played across 16 host cities in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
England will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the first time with the Three Lions looking to continue their journey towards the title. Argentina are also preparing for a tricky match against World Cup newcomers Cape Verde, who have already surprised many with their performances. And Belgium clashes with African powerhouse Senegal.
The tournament has produced plenty of talking points from player records and team predictions to unexpected off-field stories.
The Three Lions have limited experience against African opposition at the World Cup. Their only previous knockout meeting ended in a comfortable 3-0 win over Senegal in 2022 while they also beat Egypt and Cameroon during their run to the semifinals in 1990.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have shown some vulnerability against African teams, drawing with Ghana and losing a friendly to Senegal, but they still head into this tie as the clear favourites.
Opta’s supercomputer backs England to progress, giving them a 73.9 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes compared with the DRC’s 11.3 percent with a draw rated at 14.8 percent. Overall, England have an 82 percent chance of reaching the last 16, according to Opta, while the DRC are given an 18 percent chance of causing an upset.
The Red Devils have lost just one of their six matches against African opposition at the tournament. That defeat came against Morocco in the 2022 group stage. Senegal, meanwhile, have lost each of their last four World Cup meetings with European nations after winning three and drawing one of their first five.
Opta’s supercomputer gives Belgium the edge with a 45.6 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes from 25,000 simulations. Senegal are given a 27 percent chance of victory while the probability of a draw stands at 27.4 percent.
The United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina meet for the fourth time with the Americans unbeaten in the previous three encounters with two wins and one draw although all of those came in friendlies from 2013 to 2021.
While the USA have generally enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, their record against European opposition at the World Cup is far less encouraging. They have won just one of their last 21 tournament matches against UEFA nations with that lone victory coming against Portugal in 2002.
Despite that, Opta’s supercomputer calculates the cohosts as the clear favourites. Across 25,000 simulations, the USA won in 67.5 percent of cases while Bosnia were victorious in 14.3 percent. A draw was the outcome in 18.3 percent of the simulations, leaving the USA with a 76.6 percent chance of reaching the last 16 by any method.
Which teams have advanced to the round of 16, and which have been eliminated?
With half of the six days of the round of 32 played, seven teams have already booked their places in the round of 16:
- Canada (defeated South Africa 1-0)
- Brazil (defeated Japan 2-1)
- Paraguay (defeated Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw)
- Morocco (defeated the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw)
- Norway (defeated Ivory Coast 2-1)
- France (defeated Sweden 3-0)
- Mexico (defeated Ecuador 2-0)
Eliminated teams:
- South Africa
- Japan
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Ivory Coast
- Sweden
- Ecuador
Scaloni warns Argentina against underestimating Cape Verde
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players not to underestimate Cape Verde before their World Cup round-of-32 clash.
The defending champions reached the knockout stage after a dominant group campaign, winning all three matches against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with Lionel Messi scoring six goals.
Cape Verde impressed in their first World Cup appearance, holding Spain to a goalless draw and earning a 2-2 draw against Uruguay.
“It’s pointless for me to sit here and say they’re not a tough opponent because that would be a lie,” Scaloni told reporters. “Maybe for many it’s not like that, but I can assure you, they are a good team and will make things difficult for us.”
Argentina learned their knockout path would avoid facing a former world champion until the semifinals if they progress.
Players, nonetheless, echoed their coach’s cautious tone. “We always focus on ourselves. Any opponent is difficult,” winger Giuliano Simeone said. “We have to try to do the most damage possible with our best weapons.”
Cape Verde president backs team to shock Argentina
Cape Verde President Jose Maria Neves believes his side can cause a major upset against the reigning champions in their round-of-32 clash.The small West African island nation reached the knockout stage at their first ever World Cup after an impressive group campaign that culminated with the team advancing at the expense of Saudi Arabia.Neves said Cape Verde have the belief to beat Argentina, telling the BBC: “I think Cape Verde can beat Argentina 1-0. We are playing to win.”
“When expectations are low regarding a team and if that team has the urge to win,” he said, “it is possible.
“A small nation like Cape Verde should make an effort to always do that – to permanently surprise people. We have a 100 percent chance to win against Argentina.”
He added that facing Messi and the world champions gives Cape Verde the opportunity to create another historic moment for the country.
Mexico’s round-of-32 clash was delayed by an hour due to stormy weather, but once under way, they dominated from the start, overwhelming Ecuador with wave after wave of attacks.
Julian Quinones opened the scoring on Tuesday in Mexico City with a powerful strike before setting up Raul Jimenez for the second as the hosts controlled the match and kept Ecuador at bay.
The 2-0 result sees Mexico finally achieve “el quinto partido”, reaching the fifth game of a World Cup for the first time since they last hosted the tournament in 1986. They are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup matches at Azteca Stadium, called Mexico City Stadium during the 2026 World Cup, and will face either England or the DRC in the quarterfinals.
France booked their place in the round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday as Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps made history.
Mbappe scored twice in East Rutherford, New Jersey, taking his World Cup knockout-stage tally to 10 goals, the most ever. His goals also moved him level with Messi on six goals in the Golden Boot race.The France captain now has 18 World Cup goals, one behind Messi’s all-time record.Deschamps also set a new record for the most World Cup wins by a manager with 18 victories. France will face Paraguay in the next round on Saturday.Visitors travelling to the US for the World Cup said tipping expectations have become an unexpected challenge during their stays. Supporters from countries including England, Australia and Japan have expressed surprise at being prompted to add gratuities for everyday purchases, even minor items like drinks and snacks.
Ronald Koeman has left his position as Netherlands manager after the team’s elimination from the World Cup. His departure came shortly after Dutch players who missed penalties on Monday against Morocco were targeted by racist abuse online.The Netherlands were knocked out in the last 32 by losing a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Monterrey, Mexico. Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and Crysencio Summerville failed to convert their spot kicks and later became the targets of discriminatory and hateful messages on social media, according to the Royal Dutch Football Association.Koeman, 63, confirmed his resignation from his second stint in charge of the national team and suggested it could mark the end of his coaching career. Reflecting on his time in football, he said he was proud of his journey but admitted the World Cup disappointment has been difficult to accept.
A traditional Ghanaian spiritual figure has captured global attention after predicting that World Cup debutants Cape Verde will pull off a stunning upset against defending champions Argentina in their last-32 encounter.Nana Kwaku Bonsam, who describes himself as a witch doctor, made the bold claim before the knockout-stage match.Bonsam previously attracted international attention during the group stage when he claimed to have placed a curse on England captain Harry Kane before Ghana’s meeting with England. Kane failed to find the net in the match, leading some supporters to suggest a link between the result and Bonsam’s comments. However, there is no evidence to confirm that any supernatural influence played a role in the outcome.
Posted on 2026/07/01 04:54 PM