
The U.S. men’s national team became the second nation to secure a spot in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and it has secured first place in Group D.
Following its 2-0 victory over Australia, the USA improved to 2-0-0 in Group D play. And while it clinched a spot in the knockout round with its win, the USA was able to win Group D thanks to Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye on Friday night. It marks the first time since 2010 that the USA has won its group at the World Cup.
As we’re in the midst of each nation’s Match Day 2, here is a closer look at the World Cup bracket and scenarios.
JUMP TO:
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H
Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
Third-Place Rankings
(All records are win-draw-loss)
Mexico’s win over South Korea on Friday meant it won Group A because the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results. Mexico’s result in its final game against Czechia won’t matter for its standing, although it will matter to the Czechs.
Mexico WINS Group A | Javier Hernández REACTS to Mexico advancing to round of 32
With strong goal differences and the top-eight third-place teams now qualifying, Canada and Switzerland will likely advance. The winner of Group B will be determined by the matchup between the two countries on Wednesday, June 24 (3 p.m. ET on FOX). Switzerland will have to win that game to win Group B due to Canada’s superior goal difference.
Morocco and Brazil secured three points with wins over Scotland and Haiti, respectively. Brazil moved to the top of the group because of goal difference. After losses to Scotland and Brazil, Haiti will be heading home after the group stage.
The USA has won Group D, clinching first place with its 2-0 win over Australia and Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Türkiye on Friday. The Americans have a match against Türkiye, who has already been eliminated, before playing in the round of 32 on July 1.
Australia and Paraguay will battle for second place in the Group D finale on Thursday, with the Australians holding the edge due to goal differential.
United States vs Australia Highlights
Germany won the group and is through to the Round of 32 with its win over the Ivory Coast on Saturday in Toronto. Super-sub Denis Undav scored twice, including the winner in stoppage time, to seal the Germans’ spot in the knockout rounds.
Ivory Coast will need to get a result in its final match against Curaçao, which earned its first ever World Cup point in a scoreless draw with Ecuador thanks to Eloy Room’s goalkeeping heroics. Ecuador will face Germany in its final match of group play.
Germany vs Ivory Coast Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™
The Netherlands and Japan, who played last week to a 2-2 draw, are the top two teams in the group. The Dutch handled Sweden 5-1 in its second group stage game, while Japan beat Tunisia 4-0. Sweden is in third place after the loss to the Netherlands, and will now take on Japan in the group stage finale. The Dutch will wrap up the group stage against Tunisia, who cannot advance following losses to Sweden and Japan.
Netherlands vs Sweden Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™
It’s still all up for grabs in Group G after three consecutive draws to open the tournament.
Belgium and Iran currently hold two points each after holding each other scoreless ahead of New Zealand vs. Egypt. A win for either side in tonight’s clash will catapult them to the top of Group G.
Spain made a statement on Sunday that it is still a serious contender at the World Cup. The reigning European champions sit atop the group thanks to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, which saw Lamine Yamal score his first-ever World Cup goal and Mikel Oyarzabal register two goals and an assist.
Cape Verde punched above its weight once again as it split points in a 2-2 draw against Uruguay. Kevin Pina and Hélio Varela got on the scoresheet for Cape Verde’s first two goals in World Cup history. Uruguay managed to escape with a point after goals from Maxi Araujo and Agustín Canobbio prevented an early exit.
The final set of games will see Saudi Arabia take on Cape Verde, while a blockbuster match between Uruguay and Spain could decide who wins the group.
Uruguay vs Cape Verde Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™
Advantage to France and Norway after one match day. Norway took care of business against Iraq, while France got a huge three points against Senegal in its opener. Those teams will play on the final match day.
France can take a big step toward qualifying with a win over Iraq in its second match. A positive result for Senegal against Norway would also go a long way after its loss to France.
Argentina and Austria, the two favorites in this group, won their respective opening games. They will meet on the final match day, when both teams may already have qualified for the round of 32. Algeria and Jordan, though, have work to do.
Portugal sputtered against DR Congo and now has work to do in order to qualify for the round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. will be expected to beat Uzbekistan, but a game on Saturday, June 27, to close out group play against Colombia could be important.
England got a huge result with its win over Croatia. The Three Lions will now be favorites to win their final two group games against Ghana and Panama.
Speaking of Ghana, it has England next. Good thing it found a late winner against Panama, because those three points were hugely necessary ahead of games against England and Croatia to close its group-stage games.
RecordGoal Diff.Goals ScoredPoints1. Sweden1-0-10632. Scotland1-0-10133. Paraguay1-0-1-2234. Cape Verde0-2-00225. Belgium 0-2-10216. Portugal0-1-00117. Czechia0-1-1-1218. Ecuador0-1-1-1019. Bosnia-Herz.0-1-1-32110. Panama0-0-1-10011. Senegal0-0-1-21012. Jordan0-0-1-210
The eight third-place teams with the most points advance to the round of 32. Sweden (Group F) currently sits atop the standings, followed by Scotland (Group C) and Paraguay (Group D) – Scotland has a better goal differential.
Round Of 32 Matchups
- Mexico plays the third-place team from Group C, E, F, H or I at Mexico City Stadium on June 30.
- The winner of Group E plays the third-place team from Group A, B, C, D or F in Boston Stadium on June 29.
- The winner of Group I plays the third-place team from Group C, D, F, G or H in New York New Jersey Stadium on June 30.
- The runner-up of Group A plays the runner-up of Group B in Los Angeles Stadium on June 28.
- The runner-up of Group F plays the runner-up of Group C in Monterrey Stadium on June 29.
- The runner-up of Group K plays the runner-up of Group L in Toronto Stadium on July 2.
- The winner of Group H plays the runner-up of Group J in Los Angeles Stadium on July 2.
- The United States plays the third-place team from Group B, E, F, I or J in San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1.
- The winner of Group G plays the third-place team from Group A, E, H, I or J in Seattle Stadium on July 1.
- The winner of Group C plays the runner-up of Group F in Houston Stadium on June 29.
- The runner-up of Group E plays the runner-up of Group I in Dallas Stadium on June 30.
- The winner of Group L plays the third-place team from Group E, H, I, J or K in Atlanta on July 1.
- The winner of Group J plays the runner-up of Group H in Miami Stadium on July 3.
- The runner-up of Group D plays the runner-up of Group G in Dallas Stadium on July 3.
- The winner of Group B plays the third-place team from Group E, F, G, I or J in BC Place Vancouver on July 2.
- The winner of Group K plays the third-place team from Group D, E, I, J or L in Kansas City Stadium on July 3.