As the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup nears its conclusion, 28 teams have secured their places in the Round of 32, while the remaining four qualification spots will be decided in today’s matches.
The teams that have already advanced to the knockout stage include Portugal, Germany, Brazil, France, Argentina, Spain, Morocco, Norway, and co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada. Meanwhile, Qatar and Türkiye have failed to qualify for the next round.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa have made history by reaching the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Cape Verde has also created a record by becoming the smallest nation in World Cup history to reach the Round of 32, emerging as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
In another key group-stage fixture, Iran and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw. Iran had a goal disallowed for offside in the closing moments of the match, sparking widespread debate on social media.
Following the result, Egypt secured its place in the Round of 32, while Iran’s qualification will depend on the outcome of the final group-stage matches.
Although Iran has yet to win a match in the tournament, it remains a strong contender to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time.
In today’s fixtures, a defeat for either Croatia, Congo, Algeria or Austria would send Iran through to the next round. Similarly, Iran will also qualify if the match between Congo and Uzbekistan ends in a draw.
However, if both Croatia and Congo win their respective matches and Algeria’s match against Austria ends in a draw, Iran’s World Cup campaign will come to an end in the group stage.
