Argentina, Austria clash as World Cup knockout race heats up

Mexico, the USA, and Germany have all secured Round of 32 spots by winning their groups, while Haiti, Türkiye, and Tunisia are eliminated.metro
Argentina face Austria in Dallas on Monday, with a win for either side all but guaranteeing advancement from Group J.sbnation
The Round of 32 begins June 28, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advancing under the expanded 48-team format.metro

2026 World Cup Group Stage Knockout Scenarios Explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage has reached its midway point, with three teams already securing spots in the Round of 32 and three others heading home early. As the tournament’s expanded 48-team format enters its most decisive stretch, qualification scenarios across the 12 groups are growing increasingly complex.

Three In, Three Out

Mexico became the first team to punch their ticket to the knockout rounds after winning both of their Group A matches — a 2-0 victory over South Africa followed by a 1-0 defeat of South Korea. The United States followed closely behind, topping Group D with wins over Paraguay (4-1) and Australia (2-0). Germany completed the trio of early qualifiers by clinching Group E, posting a 7-1 demolition of Curaçao and a 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast.aljazeera

On the other side of the ledger, Haiti became the first eliminated team after losing to Scotland (1-0) and Brazil (3-0) in Group C. Türkiye followed, falling 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay in Group D. Tunisia rounded out the eliminated sides after a 5-1 loss to Sweden and a 4-0 defeat to Japan in Group F.thehindu

Monday’s Decisive Matches

The group stage continues Monday with several matches carrying major implications. Argentina face Austria in Dallas at 1 p.m. ET, with both sides level on three points atop Group J. A win for either team would all but guarantee advancement to the Round of 32 and put the group winner’s spot within reach.intermiamicf

France take on Iraq in Philadelphia at 5 p.m. ET, while Norway meet Senegal in East Rutherford at 8 p.m. ET in Group I action.aljazeera

Upcoming Group Deciders

Tuesday’s schedule features England against Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with both teams sitting on three points in Group L. On Wednesday, the decisive Switzerland vs. Canada clash in Vancouver will determine Group B’s pecking order, with both sides also locked on four points.patriotledger

Under the tournament’s new format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance alongside the eight best third-place finishers, sending 32 of the 48 participants into the knockout stage beginning June 28.metro