World Cup 2026 bracket and knockout fixtures - who's facing who in the last 32 and route to final
Who could England and Scotland face in the last 32? How are the routes to the final shaping up? Keep tabs on the potential knockout stage line-up with our live World Cup bracket
Wednesday 24 June 2026 09:18, UK
As the World Cup group stage draws to a close, it's time to start looking ahead to the knockout rounds and potential routes to the final in July 19.
Who could face who in the last 32? How are the potential routes to the final shaping up? Is there a more difficult side of the draw?
There are still plenty of twists and turns to come but here's an early look at how the last 32 and how the rest of the tournament is shaping up, as things stand...
- World Cup fixture schedule - your day-by-day guide
- World Cup tables
- Live World Cup 2026 third-place table - who's on course to qualify?
Last 32 line-up as it stands
How is England's route looking?
Thomas Tuchel's side have work to do against Panama but are still on course to top Group L even after their underwhelming draw with Ghana.
Were they to progress as group winners, their last-32 match will be on Wednesday July 1, with a 5pm UK time kick-off, against a third-placed team from Group E, H, I, J or K.
As it stands, England will face Cape Verde in the last 32.
Were England to progress from the round of 32, they would face a potential last-16 tie with either Scotland or co-hosts and confirmed Group A winners Mexico in Mexico City on Monday July 6 at 1am UK time.
Brazil are potential last-eight opponents on Saturday July 11, while holders Argentina and Lionel Messi could lie in wait in the semi-finals.
And then it could be a repeat of Euro 2024 and England vs Spain in the final.
As things stand, England will have to do it the hard away if they are to win a first World Cup since 1966.
What about Scotland?
Scotland's World Cup dreams are hanging in the balance but all is not lost for Steve Clarke's side despite their defeat to Morocco.
Clarke and his players now face five-time world champions Brazil at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Wednesday knowing only a win will guarantee them a place in the round of 32.
As things stand, Scotland's points tally in Group C would see them qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, but there are no guarantees their current tally of three points would be enough. The Opta Supercomputer predictor currently rates their chances of progressing at just above 70 per cent.
So, what could their route be if they qualify as one of those best third-place sides?
First up could be a clash with Mexico in the last 32.
If successful then there could be a massive rivalry game with England in the last 16.
Brazil in the quarter-finals and then Argentina in the semis could be next on Scotland's path.
Win those and they could face Spain in the final.
How the third-place battle stands
Who has already qualified for the knockout rounds?
- Mexico - Group A winners
- USA - Group D winners
- Germany - Group E winners
- France
- Norway
- Argentina - Group J winners
- Colombia
Which teams have been knocked out of the World Cup?
- Haiti
- Turkey
- Tunisia
- Jordan
- Panama
Live group tables
Group A
Final group matches - Thursday June 25, 2am
Czech Republic vs Mexico - Mexico City Stadium, Mexico
South Africa vs South Korea - Estadio Chivas, Mexico
Mexico have already qualified for the round of 32, with top spot guaranteed. That is because they have a better head-to-head record against South Korea, who cannot finish ahead of them.
South Korea will go through via second spot with a point against South Africa - but they will be eliminated if they lose and the Czech Republic beat Mexico.
Both South Africa and the Czech Republic are on one point and both teams need a win to reach four points and likely qualify as a third-placed side at least.
Group B
Final group matches - Wednesday June 24, 8pm
Switzerland vs Canada - Vancouver, Canada
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar - Seattle, USA
It will be a straight shoot-out between Switzerland and Canada for first and second place when the two meet in their final group game. The tournament co-hosts currently top Group B on goal difference after thrashing Qatar.
Top spot is crucial for Canada as their round of 32 and a potential round of 16 game would then take place in Vancouver in front of a home crowd. Jesse Marsch's side need a point against the Swiss to secure that spot.
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar are both on one point and will be battling to finish third and give themselves a chance of making the knockout rounds with four points. Bosnia can only finish in the top two if Canada lose, they win and then overturn a nine-goal swing in the goal difference column.
Group C
Final group matches - Wednesday June 24, 11pm
Morocco vs Haiti - Atlanta, USA
Scotland vs Brazil - Miami, USA
It is still very much all to play for in terms of who can qualify out of Group C. That is unless you're Haiti, who became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup two defeats from two.
For the others, it's a close affair. Brazil are currently top on goal difference. Although teams are ranked by head-to-head record, Brazil's draw with Morocco in the first group game means that goal difference becomes the primary factor with Morocco.
A draw will be enough for both Brazil and Morocco to automatically qualify for the round of 32. However, for Morocco to take top spot, they must better Brazil's result or overturn their two-goal deficit in goal difference.
As for Scotland, only a win will secure them automatic qualification. A draw would likely be enough to secure one of the eight third-place qualification spots. A defeat could still see them go through, but offers far fewer guarantees.
That scenario would come down to how much they lose by...
Group D
Final group matches - Friday June 26, 3am
Turkey vs USA - Los Angeles, USA
Paraguay vs Australia - Santa Clara, USA
The United States became the second host nation to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup after beating Australia 2-0 in their second group game.
It also means they are guaranteed to top the group thanks to their head-to-head record over both Australia and Paraguay.
Both those two teams sit on three points and face each other in the final group game. A win or a draw would be enough for either to qualify, and a point guarantees the Socceroos' spot in the knockout stages via second place, thanks to their better goal difference.
Group E
Final group matches - Thursday June 25, 9pm
Curacao vs Ivory Coast - Philadelphia, USA
Ecuador vs Germany - New Jersey, USA
Germany secured top spot and booked their place in the knockouts after two wins from two.
Ivory Coast are still well placed to qualify, following their 1-0 win against Ecuador, and avoiding defeat against Curacao will secure second. But they could also be eliminated if they lose to Curacao and Ecuador beat Germany.
Ecuador need to beat Germany and hope Curacao secure an unlikely win against Ivory Coast to have any chance of second. A draw is unlikely to be enough to qualify the South American side as a third-placed team.
Curacao know a win over the Ivory Coast is likely to qualify them as a third-placed team at least, and they will finish second if they win and Germany beat Ecuador.
Group F
Final group matches - Friday June 26, 12am
Tunisia vs Netherlands - Kansas City, USA
Japan vs Sweden - Arlington, USA
One of the more competitive groups at this World Cup. The Netherlands sit at the top on four points and will top the group with a win over already-eliminated Tunisia.
But failure to win gives Japan and Sweden the chance to go top, and those two go head-to-head in their final game.
The winner definitely qualifies for the knockout stage as the second-placed team. Defeat would leave the fate of Graham Potter's side - via a third-place qualification spot - to chance.
A draw in Japan vs Sweden would likely put both sides into the knockout stages, while a defeat for Japan would still probably be enough for them as a third-placed team.
Group G
Final group matches - Saturday June 27, 4am
New Zealand vs Belgium - Vancouver, Canada
Egypt vs Iran - Seattle, USA
Group G is all to play for. Egypt are top and will officially qualify for the round of 32 if they avoid defeat to Iran, but are pretty much there already as a best third-placed side at least.
A win secures top spot for Egypt, but a draw could see them overtaken by Belgium, who would then need to beat New Zealand and overturn a two-goal swing in goal difference.
Iran need to match Belgium's result to finish second, while defeat to Egypt will likely see them eliminated. A draw could see them qualify as a third-placed team, but that is not guaranteed.
Belgium, meanwhile, know victory will take them through as a top-two side. Like Iran, a draw would leave their fate in the balance. Defeat will see Belgium eliminated if Iran avoid defeat - but two points is also unlikely to be enough as a third-placed team.
Group H
Final group matches - Saturday June 27, 1am
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia - Houston, USA
Uruguay vs Spain - Zapopan, Mexico
Spain need to avoid defeat to Uruguay to qualify for the round of 32, with a win securing top spot.
Uruguay need to match Cape Verde's result against Saudi Arabia to finish second and qualify automatically.
But if there is a winner in the other game, then Uruguay would need to win against Spain to finish in the top two, while a draw would leave their third-placed hopes in the balance. Defeat to Spain would likely eliminate Marcelo Bielsa's side.
Cape Verde must better Uruguay's result to finish in the top two. They can even top the group if they beat Saudi Arabia, Spain fail to beat Uruguay and they overturn La Roja's goal difference lead. They can also finish top if they win and do so by a bigger margin than a Uruguay victory over Spain.
A draw is enough for the African nation to qualify if Spain beat Uruguay, but any result for Uruguay would mean a draw gives them a nervous wait in the third-placed team qualification process.
Saudi Arabia know it's win or bust to reach the round of 32. They will be in the top two if they win and Uruguay fail to beat Spain. But even if Uruguay win, four points would be enough for the Saudis as a third-placed qualifier.
Group I
Final group matches - Friday June 26, 8pm
Norway vs France - Foxborough, USA
Senegal vs Iraq - Toronto, Canada
France and Norway are both through as top two teams - and it's a showdown in Boston to see who finishes top. A draw would see France finish first on goal difference.
Senegal and Iraq also have a shootout to see who can give themselves a chance as one of the top eight third-placed teams.
Both teams need to win and win big to reach a positive goal difference, to give them the best possible chance of reaching the round of 32.
Group J
Final group matches - Sunday June 28, 3pm
Algeria vs Austria - Kansas City, USA
Jordan vs Argentina - Arlington, USA
Argentina are through as group winners due to their head-to-head record over Austria and Algeria. They have nothing to play for against already-eliminated Jordan.
Algeria and Austria have a showdown to see who finishes second in the group. It's winner-takes-all on that front, but a draw would favour Austria due to a superior goal difference.
Whoever loses that game would face a nervous wait to see if they finish as one of the best third-placed teams - as that team would have a negative goal difference.
Group K
Final group matches - Sunday June 28, 12.30am
Colombia vs Portugal - Miami, USA
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan - Atlanta, USA
Colombia and Portugal have a showdown in Miami to see who finishes as Group K winner. Colombia will win the group if they can avoid defeat.
DR Congo face Uzbekistan knowing a win would seal third with four points. That could be enough to see them finish as one of the best third-placed teams and reach the last 32.
Uzbekistan, who are not yet eliminated, could still sneak through with a win over DR Congo as one of the best third-placed teams, but they would need a big win to boost their goal difference.
Group L
Final group matches - Saturday June 27, 10pm
Panama vs England - New Jersey, USA
Croatia vs Ghana - Philadelphia, USA
England's automatic progression into the knockout stages has been delayed by their 0-0 draw with Ghana, but Thomas Tuchel's side are still on course to qualify as group winner.
The Three Lions will win the group if they better Ghana's result against Croatia when they take on already-eliminated Panama.
Croatia and Ghana are likely going head-to-head for second in the group but could go above England if they fail to beat Panama. A draw will be enough for both teams to progress to the knockouts with Ghana as runners-up and Croatia as one of the best third-placed sides.
Ghana should already have enough to qualify even with a defeat to Croatia, who could be eliminated with a heavy defeat to Ghana.
