World Cup 2026 Group Stage: Every Group's Top Two, and Who's Through
Twelve groups, the top two from each into the Round of 32, plus the eight best third-placed teams. Here's where it all landed as the group stage closed.
The first 48-team World Cup gave us a longer, wilder group stage than we have ever had — twelve groups of four, with the top two from each advancing, plus the eight best third-placed teams joining them in a new Round of 32. Here is where every group landed (standings as of June 24; a handful of final placings and the last third-place spots were still being confirmed).
| Group | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| A | Mexico (9 pts, won all 3) | South Africa (4) |
| B | Switzerland (7) | Canada (4) · Bosnia also through |
| C | Brazil (7, +6) | Morocco (7, +3) |
| D | United States (6) | Australia (3) |
| E | Germany (6) | Ivory Coast (3) |
| F | Netherlands & Japan (both 4 pts, both through — level at the top) | |
| G | Egypt (4) | second settled by tiebreak |
| H | Spain (4) | second settled by tiebreak |
| I | France (6, +5) | Norway (6, +4) |
| J | Argentina (6) | Austria (3) |
| K | Colombia (6) | Portugal (4) |
| L | England (4, +2) | Ghana (4, +1) |
The stories that jumped out
Mexico were perfect. The co-hosts won all three in Group A — nine points, the only flawless group-stage run — and sent the home crowds into the knockouts dreaming.
Brazil and Morocco both finished on seven in Group C, with Brazil taking top spot on goal difference. A rematch of one of the great 2022 stories, and both came through.
Norway are back. Alongside France in Group I, Erling Haaland's Norway reached the knockouts for the first time since 1998 — one of the feel-good lines of the whole tournament.
The United States topped Group D on home soil, and Argentina, the defending champions, eased through Group J behind Lionel Messi's five goals.
For the newcomers
New format, quick explainer: 48 teams, 12 groups, top two from each go through automatically. Because that is only 24 teams and the Round of 32 needs 32, the eight best third-placed teams also advance. It means a 1–1–1 record, or even a strong third-place finish, can be enough — which is exactly why almost every group went to the final whistle.
Knockouts next. One game, win or go home. This is where the World Cup turns into the World Cup.
Standings as of June 24, 2026; some final placings and third-place spots were still being confirmed. Sources: NBC Sports, NBC Sports (qualifiers), Al Jazeera.