FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Takes Shape

Kathmandu. The knockout stage equation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament has started to take shape. 

As many as 6 teams have already secured their place for the Round of 32, which will be held from June 28 to July 3, while 3 teams have been eliminated from the competition.

Host Mexico became the first team to reach the knockout stage. Mexico entered the next round by securing the top spot after defeating South Korea 1-0 in a match held on Thursday under Group 'A'. Mexico had defeated South Africa 2-0 in their first match. 

Similarly, the United States of America (USA) became the second team to reach the knockout stage by defeating Australia 2-0 from Group 'D'. America had registered a spectacular 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their first match. 

Germany also managed to reach the last 32 by defeating Ivory Coast 2-1 on Saturday. Germany, which was eliminated from the group stage in the previous two World Cups, started the tournament this time by defeating Curacao by a huge margin of 7-1.

Meanwhile, defending champions Argentina cut the ticket to the knockout stage by securing the top spot in Group 'J' after defeating Austria 2-0 on Monday. In that match, Lionel Messi scored two goals, setting a record for the highest goal scorer in World Cup history (18 goals). Messi also completed his first hat-trick in the World Cup when he scored 3-0 against Algeria in the first match. 

France and Norway, considered strong contenders for the title, have also reached the knockout stage from Group 'I'. France confirmed their place in the next round by defeating Iraq 3-0, in which Kylian Mbappe scored two goals.

Mbappe had also scored two goals in the first match against Senegal in a 3-1 victory. Norway from the same group secured a place in the knockout stage by defeating Senegal 3-2. Norway, returning to the World Cup after 28 years, had defeated Iraq 4-1 in their first match.

On the other hand, the World Cup journey of some teams has ended in the group stage itself. Haiti in Group 'C' became the first team to be eliminated from the competition. Haiti's journey ended after being defeated 3-0 by Brazil. Haiti, playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, had lost 1-0 to Scotland in their first match. 

Turkey was also eliminated from the competition after being defeated 1-0 by Paraguay. Turkey was stunned 2-0 by Australia in their first match. 

Similarly, Tunisia became the third team to be eliminated from the World Cup after being defeated 4-0 by Japan. Tunisia, which suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Sweden in their first match, has never progressed beyond the group stage in history.