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The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout bracket is set after the final group-stage matches confirmed all 16 Round of 32 fixtures, leaving 32 teams in contention for the title in the first World Cup to feature a 32-team knockout stage.
Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the expanded format includes 12 groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place finishers advancing to the Round of 32.
Saturday's final slate of group-stage matches saw Argentina finish atop Group J, while Austria and Algeria also advanced. Portugal and Colombia advanced from Group K, with DR Congo securing one of the best third-place spots, while England topped Group L, with Croatia and Ghana also booking places in the knockout stage.
Sixteen nations bowed out of the tournament: Haiti, Türkiye, Tunisia, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Curacao, Czechia, Iraq, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Scotland, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Iran.
The knockout stage begins with South Africa facing Canada on June 28. Brazil meets Japan, Germany takes on Paraguay and the Netherlands faces Morocco the following day.
Other Round of 32 matchups include France against Sweden, England versus DR Congo, the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain against Austria, Portugal facing Croatia, Switzerland meeting Algeria, Australia taking on Egypt, Argentina playing Cape Verde and Colombia facing Ghana.
On Saturday, Croatia secured second place in Group L with a 2-1 win over Ghana, while Ghana also advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. Scotland was eliminated.
England sealed top spot in Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring before Harry Kane added a second, giving England seven points and leaving Panama without a point from its three matches.
In Group K, DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, earning the country's first-ever World Cup victory. The result also meant nine of Africa's 10 representatives reached the Round of 32, with Tunisia the continent's only team eliminated after the group stage.
Portugal and Colombia advanced after playing out a 0-0 draw, with Colombia topping Group K on seven points and Portugal finishing second with five.
Argentina secured first place in Group J with a 3-1 victory over Jordan.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring before Lautaro Martinez converted a penalty. Mousa Al Tamari reduced the deficit for Jordan, but Lionel Messi wrapped up the win with a second-half free kick.
The victory sends Argentina into a Round of 32 meeting with Cape Verde, while Jordan exits the tournament without a point.
Messi also became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches. The 39-year-old has scored six goals at the 2026 tournament.
Austria and Algeria both advanced after drawing 3-3 in the other Group J match.
Austria claimed second place on goal difference, while Algeria progressed as one of the best third-placed teams. The result also confirmed Iran's elimination.
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