World Cup 2026: Everything You Need to Know as the Group Stage Reaches Its Climax
France, Spain, Belgium and Brazil among the big names through to the Round of 32 — while Uruguay crash out and Cabo Verde write one of the tournament's great stories. Here's your complete guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is entering its most dramatic phase. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico — the first World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches — the expanded group stage is drawing to a close, and the Round of 32 bracket is taking shape. Here is everything you need to know.
Who's through — and who's out
The big guns are largely through. France topped Group I in style — Ousmane Dembélé hit a first-half hat-trick in a 4–1 demolition of Norway, while Senegal crushed Iraq 5–0 to join them in the knockout rounds. Spain ended Uruguay's tournament with a 1–0 win, sending the two-time champions home early — one of the biggest shocks of the group stage. Belgium recovered from a slow start to thrash New Zealand 5–1, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois setting records along the way.
France · Spain · Belgium · Brazil · Mexico · USA · England · Ghana · Egypt · Portugal · Colombia · Senegal · Paraguay · Cabo Verde · Argentina · Netherlands · Sweden · Japan · Switzerland · Canada
Brazil impressed under Carlo Ancelotti, topping their group with a 3–0 win over Scotland thanks to a Vinicius Jr. brace. Argentina and Messi are in fine form — the captain scored a hat-trick in the opening game. England are through from Group L ahead of their final group game against already-eliminated Panama, with Croatia and Ghana fighting for the second spot.
The story of the tournament: Cabo Verde
In a World Cup full of surprises, perhaps none has captured the imagination more than Cabo Verde. The small Atlantic archipelago nation — population just 600,000 — held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw on June 27 to book an extraordinary place in the Round of 32, where they will face Argentina. Their campaign began with a 0–0 draw against Spain, a result that produced what is reportedly the biggest lost bet in 2026 World Cup history. They have since become one of the neutrals' favorites.
Today's matches — June 27
Group K: England vs Panama · Croatia vs Ghana
Group L: Jordan vs Argentina · Algeria vs Austria
The Golden Boot race
The tournament is on course to be one of the highest-scoring World Cups in history. Lionel Messi opened with a hat-trick and continues to chase the all-time World Cup scoring record. Erling Haaland has been prolific for Norway despite their early exit, netting twice against Iraq. Lamine Yamal scored his first World Cup goal for Spain in his own hometown. Ousmane Dembélé's hat-trick against Norway has put him firmly in contention. Messi, Haaland, Mbappé and Kane were all tipped pre-tournament — the race is wide open.
Key facts and firsts
The Round of 32 begins on July 1. The quarter-finals onwards will all be played in the United States. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It promises to be the biggest single sporting event in history — and the group stage has delivered more than enough drama to justify the excitement.
MKNews Hub · Sport · 27 June 2026