The group stage of the 2026 World Cup enters a decisive stage this Tuesday (23)with several teams able to guarantee an early presence in the knockout phase. With the new format of the tournament, which brings together 48 teams, The first two placed in each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.
So far, six teams have already confirmed their place in the next phase: Mexico, United States, Germany, France, Norway and Argentina. The teams secured classification after winning their first two commitments in the competition.
Who passes? See the situation of each group:
Group A
Mexico has already secured classification and leadership after two victories. The dispute now focuses on the second place, with South Korea, Czechia and South Africa still alive in the fight. A Korean victory practically seals qualification, while Czechs and South Africans depend on combined results to continue in the disputemainly due to the place among the best third-placed teams.
Group B
Group B reaches the round with Canada and Switzerland in a comfortable situation and in direct competition for leadership. The two teams could forward or confirm the classification depending on the results this Tuesday (23), while Bosnia and Qatar still maintain mathematical chances, although more remote, of advancing via third place. A victory for any of the teams at the top of the table practically guarantees a place in the knockout stages.
Group C
In Group C, Brazil arrives at the last match of the group stage against Scotland in a very comfortable situation. The team beat Haiti and Morocco in the first two rounds and has six points, while Morocco has four, Scotland three and Haiti zero. If Scotland beatsBrazil guarantees the leadership of the group, advances to the knockout stages with 100% success and eliminates any possibility of being overtaken by its rivals in the group.
It tiesthe team reaches five points and guarantees classification, but the leadership of the group will depend on the result of Morocco x Haiti and the tiebreaker criteria. be lostBrazil will have added four points and should still advance, but the final position will depend on parallel results.
Group D
Group D already has the United States classifiedwith six points, and the dispute focuses on the second place, involving Australia and Paraguay. This Tuesday’s round could be decisive in deciding who will accompany the North Americans in the knockout stage, while Turkey is already eliminated from the competition.
Group E
In Group E, Germany has already secured a place in the next phase and is now watching the dispute for second place. Ivory Coast appears as the main candidate for classification, while Ecuador and Curaçao are still trying to stay alive in the fight, depending on combinations of results to advance.
Group F
The definition of Group F was left for the last round. The Netherlands, Japan and Sweden remain in direct competition for the two automatic places in the groupwhile the Tunisia appears without relevant chances of classification. The clashes between Japan and Sweden, in addition to Tunisia and the Netherlands, should define both the leader and second place in the group.
Group G
Group G is the most undefined of the World Cup so far. Egypt, Iran, Belgium and New Zealand still have chances of advancing, which means that the last round will be decisive for all members of the group. Depending on the results, even the group leadership could change hands in the final matches.
Group H
Spain appears at the top of Group H, but has not yet mathematically guaranteed first place. Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are also still alive in the fight for available places, making the final round one of the most open of the tournament.
Group I
Group I is one of the few already defined. France and Norway secured early qualification for the knockout stage and now they are just competing for the lead in the group. Senegal and Iraq are no longer in a position to reach the top two places.
Grupo J
Argentina guaranteed early classification and secured the leadership of Group Jwith Lionel Messi making history, becoming the greatest scorer in the history of the World Cup. The second place is being contested mainly between Austria and Algeriawho reach the decisive round in direct confrontation.
Grupo K
Portugal faces Uzbekistan, while Colombia faces the Democratic Republic of Congo. Depending on the combination of results, The Portuguese and Colombians can finish the round already qualified for the knockout stage.
If Portugal beats Uzbekistan and Colombia defeats the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Portuguese and Colombians will reach the last round depending only on themselves to advancebut without guaranteed mathematical classification, as they will still face each other at the end of the group.
If Portugal wins and there is a draw between Colombians and CongoleseCristiano Ronaldo’s team will be very close to the place and could even take the lead depending on the goal difference. A new draw would complicate the Portuguese situationleaving the definition for the final round against Colombia. A defeat to Uzbekistan would put Portugal under severe pressure and with a real risk of early elimination.
Group L
In Group L, England and Ghana arrive motivated after victories in their debut and compete in a direct confrontation that could lead to the classification of both or completely shuffle the group. Croatia and Panama, defeated in the first round, are under pressure and could reach the final round in a delicate situation if they do not score again this Tuesday, with no points scored so far.
